Factorization is an art (8)

Algebra Level 5

x 5 + 20 x 3 7 = x 7 20 x 3 5 \large \sqrt[7]{x^{5}+20x^{3}} = \sqrt[5]{x^{7}-20x^{3}}

If x x is a non-zero real number which satisfies the equation above, find the product of all possible values of x x .


The answer is -5.

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1 solution

Nguyễn Anh
Aug 2, 2017

Let x 5 + 20 x 3 7 = x 7 20 x 3 5 = a \large \sqrt[7]{x^{5} + 20x^{3}} = \sqrt[5]{x^{7} - 20x^{3}} = a

Then, we have

x 5 + 20 x 3 = a 7 \large x^{5} + 20x^{3} = a^{7} and x 7 20 x 3 = a 5 \large x^{7} - 20x^{3} = a^{5}

x 5 + x 7 = a 5 + a 7 \large \Rightarrow x^{5} + x^{7} = a^{5} + a^{7}

x = a \large \Rightarrow x = a (since the function f ( x ) = x 5 + x 7 f(x) = x^{5} + x^{7} is monotonically increasing for all x)

x 5 + 20 x 3 = x 7 \large \Rightarrow x^{5} + 20x^{3} = x^{7}

x 4 x 2 20 = 0 \large \Rightarrow x^{4} - x^{2} - 20 = 0 (since x 0 x \neq 0 )

( x 2 5 ) ( x 2 + 4 ) = 0 \large \Rightarrow (x^{2} - 5)(x^{2} + 4) = 0

x = ± 5 \large \Rightarrow x = \pm \sqrt{5}

\Rightarrow the product of all possible values of x is -5.

That's a very nice observation!

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 10 months ago

I was never able to figure this problem out! Infinitely clever problem!

James Wilson - 3 years, 8 months ago

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I cannot believe the solution was so simple. Extremely clever. I spent ages trying to factor a 34th degree polynomial lol.

James Wilson - 3 years, 8 months ago

This is one of those cases where "Because it is an Olympiad problem, hence a nice solution exists" comes into play. In a sense, it is similar to solving Brilliant problems knowing that a numerical answer exists.

Apriori, there is no good way to solve a "random" surd equation like x b + c x a = x e + f x d \sqrt[a]{x^b + cx } = \sqrt[d]{x^e + fx} , and so we have to focus on how these quantities come into play. Having a = e , b = d a = e, b = d (and both odd) is an observation that most people would have made, but are unclear of how it could be exploited. Ditto with c = f c = -f .

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 8 months ago

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Gotch ya ;)

James Wilson - 3 years, 8 months ago

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