Problem

Source: 2012 Indonesia Round 2.5 TST 1 Problem 1

Tags: algebra, polynomial, trigonometry, algebra unsolved



Suppose $P(x,y)$ is a homogenous non-constant polynomial with real coefficients such that $P(\sin t, \cos t) = 1$ for all real $t$. Prove that $P(x,y) = (x^2+y^2)^k$ for some positive integer $k$. (A polynomial $A(x,y)$ with real coefficients and having a degree of $n$ is homogenous if it is the sum of $a_ix^iy^{n-i}$ for some real number $a_i$, for all integer $0 \le i \le n$.)