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Problem 1401

AIME late
Algebra Difficulty 5.7 Prove it Saudi Arabian Mathematical Competitions · Saudi Arabia

Let non-constant polynomial f(x)f(x) with real coefficients is given with the following property: for any positive integer nn and kk, the value of expression
f(n+1)f(n+2)f(n+k)f(1)f(2)f(k)Z. \frac{f(n+1) f(n+2) \ldots f(n+k)}{f(1) f(2) \ldots f(k)} \in \mathbb{Z} .
Prove that f(x)f(x) is divisible by xx.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

Without loss of generality one may assume that f(1)Zf(1) \in \mathbb{Z}. Since for all positive kk, we have f(k+1)f(1)\frac{f(k+1)}{f(1)} is integer, then we conclude that on all positive integer points our polynomial gets integer values. Assume that deg(f)=d\operatorname{deg}(f)=d then, according to Lagrange interpolation formula we get
f(x)=i=1d+1f(i)(x1)(x(i1))(x(i+1))(x(d+1))(i1)1(1)(i(d+1)), f(x)=\sum_{i=1}^{d+1} f(i) \frac{(x-1) \ldots(x-(i-1))(x-(i+1)) \ldots(x-(d+1))}{(i-1) \ldots 1(-1) \ldots(i-(d+1))},
and all numbers are rational, so p(x)p(x) is a polynomial with rational coefficients.
By multiplying by a constant we can get f(x)f(x) with integer coefficients. If f(0)=0f(0)=0 then we are done. Assume that f(0)0f(0) \neq 0. Let's fix positive integer kk and denote f(n)=f(n+1)f(n+2)f(n+k)f(n)=f(n+1) f(n+2) \ldots f(n+k) and M=f(0)M=f(0).
According to the problem condition, we have f(n)MZ\frac{f(n)}{M} \in \mathbb{Z} for all positive integer nn. Since f(x)f(x) is polynomial with integer coefficients, then
f(1)f(2M1)0(modM), f(-1) \equiv f(2|M|-1) \equiv 0 \quad(\bmod M),
which means
f(1)M=f(0)f(k)Z, \frac{f(-1)}{M}=\frac{f(0)}{f(k)} \in \mathbb{Z},
for all positive integers kk. It means f(0)=0f(0)=0 or f(x)f(x) is divisible by xx. \square

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