Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with rational coefficients such that $P(n)$ is integer for all integers $n$. Moreover: $gcd(P(1), \ldots , P(k), \ldots) = 1$. Prove that every integer $k$ can be represented in infinitely many ways of the form $\pm P(1) \pm P(2) \pm \ldots \pm P(m)$, for some positive integer $m$ and certain choices of $\pm$.
Problem
Source: Belarus - Iran Competition 2022
Tags: algebra, polynomial, number theory
21.09.2024 13:10
here is my idea also $gcd(P(1), \ldots , P(k), \ldots) = 1$ is necessity and sufficiency condition for this happen
21.09.2024 16:01
I guess by $c$ you denoted the leading coefficient of $P$ nguyenloc1712 wrote: since $gcd(P(1), \ldots , P(k), \ldots) = 1$ then exist k such that $gcd(P(k),c) = 1$ Why is that?
23.09.2024 19:41
alr I fixed it
23.09.2024 19:52
Good job!
23.09.2024 21:11
Great solution! I realized that unlike I said in my previous message, $c$ isn't the leading coefficient, but the leading coefficient multiplied by $d!$
24.09.2024 09:58
actually c is the leading coefficient multiplied by $d!.2^M$ (M is based on d) since P(x+1) - P(x) = Q(x) P(x+3) - P(x+2) = Q(x+2) so +P(x) - P(x+1) - P(x+2) + P(x+3) =- Q(x) + Q(x+2) and the leading coefficient Q(x+2) - Q(x) is $ad.d(d-1).2$
24.09.2024 16:17
nguyenloc1712 wrote: actually c is the leading coefficient multiplied by $d!$ actually that is exactly what I've written