Let be a cubic polynomial with integer coefficients such that has 3 negative integer roots and . Find .
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Relevant wiki: Diophantine Equations - Solve by Factoring
Let − a , − b and − c be the roots of P where a , b and c are positive integers.
Then P ( x ) can be written in the form A ( x + a ) ( x + b ) ( x + c )
Now P ( 1 ) = A ( 1 + a ) ( 1 + b ) ( 1 + c ) = 3 5 5 3 = 1 1 × 1 7 × 1 9
But as a , b and c are positive integers then 1 + a , 1 + b and 1 + c are all positive integers greater than 1.
Therefore ( 1 + a , 1 + b , 1 + c ) = ( 1 1 , 1 7 , 1 9 ) (in some permutation) and A = 1
Then ( a , b , c ) = ( 1 0 , 1 6 , 1 8 ) (in some permutation)
Thus P ( x ) = ( x + 1 6 ) ( x + 1 0 ) ( x + 1 8 ) and P ( − 1 ) = ( − 1 + 1 6 ) ( − 1 + 1 0 ) ( − 1 + 1 8 ) = ( 1 5 ) ( 9 ) ( 1 7 ) = 2 2 9 5