Problem:
For each prime , a polynomial with rational coefficients is called -good if and only if there exist three integers , and such that and divides all the numerators of , , and , when written in simplest form. Compute the number of ordered pairs of rational numbers such that the polynomial is -good for infinitely many primes .
, 2024
Solution
Solution:
By Vieta, the sum of the roots is . However, since the three roots are less than , it follows that the roots are , , and , where there are finitely many choices . By pigeonhole, one choice, say , must occur for infinitely many . We then get that the roots of are , , and . Moreover, we must have that are all or all , and by Vieta, we have .
The polynomial is then uniquely determined by . Thus, it suffices to count triples of positive integers such that are all or all and that . It's not very hard to list them all now.
When , there are 7 triples: , , , , , , and .
When , there are 5 triples: , , , , and .
Hence, the answer is .
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