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Algebra Difficulty 4.8 AIME Prove it

The solution set of the equation x2+a=xx^{2}+a=x where aRa\in R is denoted as AA (AA\neq \varnothing), and the solution set of the equation (x2+a)2+a=x(x^{2}+a)^{2}+a=x where aRa\in R is denoted as BB.
(1)(1) For sets MM and NN, if for all xMx\in M, xNx\in N, then MNM\subseteq N. Prove that ABA\subseteq B;
(2)(2) If A=BA=B, find the range of real number aa.

Solution

### Solution:

#### Part (1) Proof:
- Given: The solution set of the equation x2+a=xx^{2}+a=x where aRa\in \mathbb{R} is denoted as AA (AA\neq \varnothing).
- Let x0Ax_{0}\in A, so we have the equation x02+a=x0{x_0}^2+a={x_0}.
- Now, consider the equation (x2+a)2+a=x(x^{2}+a)^{2}+a=x. We substitute x0x_{0} for xx in this equation, which becomes:
((x02+a)2+a=x0)((x_0^{2}+a)^{2}+a=x_0)
Given that x02+a=x0x_0^{2}+a=x_0, this substitution holds true, meaning x0x_{0} is also a solution of (x2+a)2+a=x(x^{2}+a)^{2}+a=x.
- Therefore, x0Bx_{0}\in B. Since this is true for any x0Ax_0 \in A, we conclude ABA\subseteq B.

#### Part (2) Finding the Range of aa for A=BA=B:
- Knowing AA\neq \varnothing, the equation x2x+a=0x^{2}-x+a=0 must have real roots, leading to the discriminant condition Δ=14a0\Delta =1-4a\geqslant 0, simplifying to a14a\leq \frac{1}{4}.
- For BB to equal AA, the polynomial x4+2ax2x+a2+a=0x^{4}+2ax^{2}-x+a^{2}+a=0 must factorize to include (x2x+a)(x^{2}-x+a), resulting in (x2x+a)(x2+x+a+1)=0(x^{2}-x+a)(x^{2}+x+a+1)=0.
- For x2+x+a+1=0x^{2}+x+a+1=0 to have no real roots, the discriminant must be negative: 14(a+1)<01-4(a+1) \lt 0, which simplifies to a>34a \gt -\frac{3}{4}.
- For the roots of x2+x+a+1=0x^{2}+x+a+1=0 to match those of x2x+a=0x^{2}-x+a=0:
- Distinct real roots are not possible per Vieta's formulas since the sums and products of the roots would not match.
- Equal real roots occur when Δ=14(a+1)=0\Delta =1-4(a+1)=0, giving a=34a=-\frac{3}{4}. The root x=12x=-\frac{1}{2} satisfies both equations.
- Combining these conditions, the range for aa when A=BA=B is {a34a14}\boxed{\{a|-\frac{3}{4}\leq a\leq \frac{1}{4}\}}.

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Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.