It's easy (2)

Algebra Level 3

A polynomial function f ( x ) f(x) is identical with its inverse. If f ( 4 ) = 7 f(4)=7 , find the constant term in f ( x ) f(x) .


The answer is 11.

This section requires Javascript.
You are seeing this because something didn't load right. We suggest you, (a) try refreshing the page, (b) enabling javascript if it is disabled on your browser and, finally, (c) loading the non-javascript version of this page . We're sorry about the hassle.

1 solution

Chris Lewis
May 1, 2019

Since f f is its own inverse, f ( f ( x ) ) = x f(f(x))=x . If the leading term of f ( x ) f(x) is a x n ax^n , the leading term of f ( f ( x ) ) f(f(x)) is a 2 x n 2 a^2 x^{n^2} . We immediately see two things: firstly, f f is linear; secondly, its leading coefficient is ± 1 \pm1 .

Having established these properties of f f , it's a simple matter to check the only solution is f ( x ) = 11 x f(x)=11-x , so the answer is 11 \boxed{11} .

Nice Chris. Thanks for such an elegant solution.

A Former Brilliant Member - 2 years, 1 month ago

0 pending reports

×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...