7 x 5 + 2 0 x 3 = 5 x 7 − 2 0 x 3
If x is a non-zero real number which satisfies the equation above, find the product of all possible values of x .
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That's a very nice observation!
I was never able to figure this problem out! Infinitely clever problem!
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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.
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 a x b + c x = d x e + f x , and so we have to focus on how these quantities come into play. Having 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 .
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Let 7 x 5 + 2 0 x 3 = 5 x 7 − 2 0 x 3 = a
Then, we have
x 5 + 2 0 x 3 = a 7 and x 7 − 2 0 x 3 = a 5
⇒ x 5 + x 7 = a 5 + a 7
⇒ x = a (since the function f ( x ) = x 5 + x 7 is monotonically increasing for all x)
⇒ x 5 + 2 0 x 3 = x 7
⇒ x 4 − x 2 − 2 0 = 0 (since x = 0 )
⇒ ( x 2 − 5 ) ( x 2 + 4 ) = 0
⇒ x = ± 5
⇒ the product of all possible values of x is -5.