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Number theory Difficulty 8.2 Shortlist Find the answer

For a positive integer nn we denote by s(n)s(n) the sum of the digits of nn. Let P(x)=xn+an1xn1++a1x+a0P(x)=x^n+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+\cdots+a_1x+a_0 be a polynomial, where n2n \geqslant 2 and aia_i is a positive integer for all 0in10 \leqslant i \leqslant n-1. Could it be the case that, for all positive integers kk, s(k)s(k) and s(P(k))s(P(k)) have the same parity?

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

Solution

To determine if there exists a polynomial P(x)=xn+an1xn1++a1x+a0 P(x) = x^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1x + a_0 such that for all positive integers k k , the sum of the digits of k k , denoted as s(k) s(k) , and s(P(k)) s(P(k)) have the same parity, we proceed with a contradiction approach.

First, recall that the parity of a number refers to whether it is odd or even. The sum of the digits function, s(n) s(n) , follows the same parity rule as the number itself in terms of modulo 2 evaluations.

1. Consider any positive integer k k .
2. Calculate s(k) s(k) and consider its parity.
3. Compute s(P(k)) s(P(k)) and consider its parity as well.

For the claim to be true, it must hold that:
s(k)s(P(k))(mod2) s(k) \equiv s(P(k)) \pmod{2}
for all positive integers k k .

Now consider some specific case of k k :
- Take k=10 k = 10 , where s(k)=1 s(k) = 1 . Therefore, P(10)=10n+an110n1++a110+a0 P(10) = 10^n + a_{n-1} \cdot 10^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 \cdot 10 + a_0 .

For large powers of 10, most terms 10n,10n1, 10^n, 10^{n-1}, \ldots primarily contribute to the leading digits in P(k) P(k) , minimally affecting the last digit parity unless modified by constants an1,an2,,a1,a0 a_{n-1}, a_{n-2}, \ldots, a_1, a_0 .

Additionally, examine k=1 k = 1 :
- Then s(1)=1 s(1) = 1 , and P(1)=1+an1++a1+a0 P(1) = 1 + a_{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 + a_0 .
- The parity of s(P(1)) s(P(1)) depends entirely on the sum of coefficients plus one.

By the above calculations, inconsistency will appear:
- If ai a_i terms contribute to making s(P(k)) s(P(k)) always match s(k) s(k) , the odd/even structure of constant a0,a1, a_0, a_1, \ldots and 1,10,100, 1, 10, 100, \ldots leads to conflicting parities when assessed modulus 2 for a wide range of k k .

### Conclusion

These contradictions suggest that no structure of P(x) P(x) allows all k k to maintain the required parity relationship between s(k) s(k) and s(P(k)) s(P(k)) . Thus,

There is no such polynomial. \boxed{\text{There is no such polynomial.}}

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