Let Q(x)=xn+an−1xn−1+⋯+a0. Then the coefficient of the term of maximal degree of the polynomial Q(2(x+1)2)−Q(2(x−1)2) can be found from the difference (2(x+1)2)n−(2(x−1)2)n. It is
2n2nx2n−1+2n2nx2n−2=2n4nx2n−1(1).
The corresponding coefficient in the left hand side is equal to 2, and so 2n4n=2⇔2n+1=4n. Since 2n+1>4n, for n≥3, we must have n=1 or n=2 and then from (1) the degree of P is 2−1=1 or 2⋅2−1=3.
For x=0 in the given relation, we obtain 2P(0)=Q(1/2)−Q(1/2)=0, and hence P(0)=0.
* For n=1, then P(x)=ax and since P(1)=1, we find
P(x)=x and Q(x)=x+a0,a0∈R.
* For n=2, then, if Q(x)=x2+bx+c, we have:
2P(x)=Q(2(x+1)2)−Q(2(x−1)2)=41((x+1)4−(x−1)4)+2b((x+1)2−(x−1)2)=41(8x3+8x)+2b(4x)=2x3+2(1+b)x.
Hence P(x)=x3+(1+b)x. Since P(1)=1, we find b=−1, and finally
P(x)=x3 and Q(x)=x2−x+c,c∈R.