Compare the coefficients

Algebra Level 2

Suppose the polynomials P 1 ( x ) P_1(x) and P 2 ( x ) P_2(x) are obtained by expanding and simplifying the following algebraic expressions

P 1 ( 1 ) = ( 1 + x 2 x 5 ) 2000 P 2 ( x ) = ( 1 x 2 + x 5 ) 2000 . P_1(1) = (1 + x^2 - x^5)^{2000} \\ P_2(x) = (1 - x^2 + x^5)^{2000}.

Let C 1 C_1 and C 2 C_2 be the coefficient of x 800 x^{800} in the polynomials P 1 ( x ) P_1(x) and P 2 ( x ) P_2(x) respectively. Which of the given option is true?

C 1 < C 2 C_1<C_2 C 1 > C 2 C_1>C_2 C 1 = C 2 = 0 C_1=C_2=0 C 1 = C 2 0 C_1=C_2\neq 0

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4 solutions

Abhishek Sinha
Jun 25, 2015

Since we are looking for the coefficient of a term with even power (viz x 800 x^{800} ) in a polynomial, its value remain unchanged if we replace x x by x -x in the expressions. Thus C 1 C_1 and C 2 C_2 are also the coefficients of x 800 x^{800} in the polynomials Q 1 ( x ) = P 1 ( x ) = ( 1 + x 2 + x 5 ) 2000 , Q 2 ( x ) = P 2 ( x ) = ( 1 x 2 x 5 ) 2000 Q_1(x)=P_1(-x)=(1+x^2+x^5)^{2000}, \hspace{5pt}Q_2(x)=P_2(-x)=(1-x^2-x^5)^{2000} It is clear that all coefficients of the polynomial Q 1 ( x ) Q_1(x) are positive and coefficient of x 800 x^{800} is non-zero. Whereas some of the terms contributing to x 800 x^{800} in Q 2 ( x ) Q_2(x) are negative. Thus the result follows.

Really a nice approach. However "Whereas some of the terms contributing to x 800 i n Q 2 ( x ) x^{800} ~in~Q_2(x) are negative. " is not correct in general. Here there is o n l y O N E t e r m \color{#D61F06}{only~ONE~term} and it is true since x a ( 2 + 5 ) x^{a( 2+5)} is not divisible by 800 and terms with x 800 x^{800} falls with n 200/2= 10 0 t h 100^{th} term, treating this as binomial in { 1 ± ( x 5 x 2 ) } 2000 \{1 \pm (x^5 -x^2)\}^{2000} . In general, the position of the term with respect to middle term, and divisibility of exponents of wanted term and the product of the two x terms { x 2 , x 5 x^2~, x^5 } has to be seen. Nearer the term to the middle term greater is the coefficient.

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 11 months ago

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The correct way to approach this issue is to use the multinomial theorem, e.g. consider the term corresponding to ( 2000 1825 , 25 , 150 ) ( x 2 ) 25 ( x 5 ) 150 = ( 2000 1825 , 25 , 150 ) x 800 \binom{2000}{1825,25,150} (-x^2)^{25}(-x^5)^{150}=-\binom{2000}{1825,25,150}x^{800} which is negative. You can find many other negative terms similarly.

Abhishek Sinha - 5 years, 11 months ago

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Thank you for introducing me to the multinomial theorem. It will definitely be of great help.

Niranjan Khanderia - 5 years, 11 months ago
Cantdo Math
Apr 18, 2020

To make 800 in the power of x,in the first polynomial ,we would require even number of x 5 x^5 .Since, x 2 x^2 has coefficient positive,if we assume we have multiplied the whole thing,every contribution to x 800 x^{800} would be positive. But,in the second polynomial,we can have negative contribution to x 800 x^{800} ( for example multiply 158 x 5 x^5 and 5 x 2 x^2 .Since the absolute value of all contribution are same for both the polynomial, C 1 > C 2 C_1 > C_2

Yinchen Wu
Feb 17, 2018

let a a be the times choosing x 2 x^2 , and b b the times choosing x 5 x^5 . In order to make term x x to the 800, we would have the equation: 2 a + 5 b = 800 2a+5b=800

We see that b b must be even, meaning that for the first equation the terms adding to the coefficient are all positive. For a a , it must be divisible by 5, but can be even or odd, making the coefficient in second equation contain both positive terms and negative terms. Because both the equations have the same magnitude of terms, only differing in signs, the coefficient of x to the 800 in the first equation, added only by positive terms, must be bigger than that in the second equation, which is made of both positive and negative terms.

Thus, the answer is B

Zico Quintina
Feb 15, 2018

In order to form x 800 x^{800} , the number of x 5 x^5 's contributing to the term would have to be even; therefore, all the x 800 x^{800} terms in P 1 P_1 , e.g. ( x 2 ) 15 ( x 5 ) 10 (x^2)^{15}(-x^5)^{10} , would be positive. On the other hand, the number of x 2 x^2 's contributing to form x 800 x^{800} would have to be a multiple of five, but because this could be an odd multiple of five, some of the x 800 x^{800} terms in P 2 P_2 , e.g. ( x 2 ) 15 ( x 5 ) 10 (-x^2)^{15}(x^5)^{10} , would be negative. Thus C 2 C_2 would have to be greater than C 1 C_1 .

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