PRMO 2017 Sample Qn

Algebra Level 1

Let P(x) be a non-zero polynomial with integer coefficients. If P(n) is divisible by n for each positive integer n, what is the value of P(0)?

48 00 None of these 64 12

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2 solutions

Damien Ashwood
Aug 12, 2017

We use the fact that for a polynomial P ( x ) P(x) with integer coefficients, a b ( P ( a ) P ( b ) a-b\mid(P(a)-P(b)\\ So, for the polynomial in the question: n P ( n ) P ( 0 ) n\mid P(n)-P(0)\\ n P ( 0 ) n\mid P(0)\\ Since this is true for all n N n\in\mathbb{N} , every positive integer divides P ( 0 ) P(0) . Thus, the only value it can take is 0 \boxed{0}

given P(n) is divisible by n for each +ve value of n. therefore the polynomial P(n) has no constant. Thus p(0) = 0

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