Irreducible Polynomial Stuff

Algebra Level pending

Consider the set S S of all positive integers n n such that x 3 x + n x^3-x+n is reducible over the rationals (i.e., it factors into at least two nontrivial rational polynomials). For example, 6 is in S S since

x 3 x + 6 = ( x + 2 ) ( x 2 2 x + 3 ) , x^3-x+6 = (x+2) \left(x^2-2 x+3\right),

and x 3 x + n x^3-x+n is irreducible for all positive integers n < 6 n < 6 . Compute

n S 1 n . \displaystyle\sum_{n \in S} \frac{1}{n}.


The answer is 0.25.

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1 solution

Hint: Let the elements of S S be s 1 , s 2 , s 3 , . . . s_1, s_2, s_3, ... where s 1 < s 2 < s 3 < . . . . s_1 < s_2 < s_3 < .... Then show that

s n = 1 n 3 + 3 n 2 + 2 n . s_n = \frac{1}{n^3+3 n^2+2 n}.

The sum telescopes.

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