Among all polynomials P(x) with integer coefficients for which P(−10)=145 and P(9)=164, compute the smallest possible value of ∣P(0)∣.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Since a−b∣P(a)−P(b) for any integer polynomial P and integers a and b, we require that 10∣P(0)−P(−10) and 9∣P(0)−P(9). So, we are looking for an integer a near 0 for which a≡5mod10,a≡2mod9 The smallest such positive integer is 65, and the smallest such negative integer is -25. This is achievable, for example, if P(x)=2x2+3x−25, so our answer is 25.
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