Math Gold Medalist

Lor

2023 AMC 10A 

Problem 21

Let $P(x)$ be the unique polynomial of minimal degree with the following properties:

  • $P(x)$ has a leading coefficient $1$,
  • $1$ is a root of $P(x)-1$,
  • $2$ is a root of $P(x-2)$,
  • $3$ is a root of $P(3x)$, and
  • $4$ is a root of $4P(x)$.

The roots of $P(x)$ are integers, with one exception. The root that is not an integer can be written as $\frac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime integers. What is $m+n$?

$\textbf{(A) }41\qquad\textbf{(B) }43\qquad\textbf{(C) }45\qquad\textbf{(D) }47\qquad\textbf{(E) }49$


Polynomials

Factor Theorem

P(1)=1

P(0)=0

P(9)=0

P(4)=0

P(x)=2x(x-4)(x-9)(x-m/n)

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   Solution