There is a unique quadruple of positive integers (a,b,c,k) such that c is not a perfect square and a+b+c is a root of the polynomial x4−20x3+108x2−kx+9. Compute c.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
The four roots are a±b±c, so the sum of roots is 20 , so a=5. Next, we compute the sum of squares of roots: (a+b±c)2+(a−b±c)2=2a2+2b±2c so the sum of squares of roots is 4a2+4b. However, from Vieta, it is 202−2⋅108=184, so 100+4b=184⟹b=21. Finally, the product of roots is (a2−(b+c))(a2−(b−c))=(a2−b)2−c=16−c so we have c=7.
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