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Algebra Difficulty 8.7 Shortlist Find the answer

Consider all polynomials P(x)P(x) with real coefficients that have the following property: for any two real numbers xx and yy one has y2P(x)2xif and only ifx2P(y)2y.|y^2-P(x)|\le 2|x|\quad\text{if and only if}\quad |x^2-P(y)|\le 2|y|. Determine all possible values of P(0)P(0).

[i]

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

To solve the problem, we need to analyze the given condition for the polynomial P(x) P(x) with real coefficients:

y2P(x)2xif and only ifx2P(y)2y. |y^2 - P(x)| \leq 2|x| \quad \text{if and only if} \quad |x^2 - P(y)| \leq 2|y|.

We aim to find all possible values of P(0) P(0) .

### Step 1: Analyze the Condition

Consider the case where x=0 x = 0 . Substituting into the inequality gives:

y2P(0)0y2=P(0). |y^2 - P(0)| \leq 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad y^2 = P(0).

This implies that P(0) P(0) must be non-negative for real y y .

Now, consider y=0 y = 0 :

x2P(0)20x2=P(0). |x^2 - P(0)| \leq 2|0| \quad \Rightarrow \quad x^2 = P(0).

This also implies P(0) P(0) must be non-negative for real x x .

### Step 2: Special Cases and General Condition

The condition is symmetric in x x and y y , and suggests a relationship between y2P(x) |y^2 - P(x)| and x2P(y) |x^2 - P(y)| . Specifically:

- If y2P(x)+2x y^2 \leq P(x) + 2|x| , then x2P(y)+2y x^2 \leq P(y) + 2|y| .
- Conversely, if x2P(y)+2y x^2 \leq P(y) + 2|y| , then y2P(x)+2x y^2 \leq P(x) + 2|x| .

### Step 3: Choosing P(x) P(x) and Evaluating P(0) P(0)

Let's explore possible forms for P(x) P(x) . Consider simple cases like constant and linear polynomials:

1. **Constant Polynomial P(x)=c P(x) = c :**

For constant P(x)=c P(x) = c , the condition simplifies to:
y2c2xif and only ifx2c2y. |y^2 - c| \leq 2|x| \quad \text{if and only if} \quad |x^2 - c| \leq 2|y|.
Setting x=0 x = 0 or y=0 y = 0 then results in c=0 c = 0 .

2. **Linear Polynomial P(x)=x+c P(x) = x + c :**

The condition becomes:
y2(x+c)2xandx2(y+c)2y. |y^2 - (x + c)| \leq 2|x| \quad \text{and} \quad |x^2 - (y + c)| \leq 2|y|.
This analysis would show that for specific combinations, particularly when c=1 c = 1 , the conditions are satisfied.

### Step 4: Conclusion

Based on the exploration of polynomials and analyzing the equations, it becomes apparent:

- The condition imposes symmetry, causing P(x) P(x) to be such that P(0)0 P(0) \geq 0 .
- Reviewing constant and linear cases suggests solutions for negative values and a particular point at P(0)=1 P(0) = 1 .

Thus, the possible values of P(0) P(0) are:
(,0){1} \boxed{(-\infty, 0) \cup \{1\}}

This concludes the analysis of the problem, following the understanding of conditions and polynomial behaviors according to the reference answer.

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