Algebra: If P(x), degree n, shares n points with x^n, then it is x^n

[Swimmingly!]

Homework Statement

Prove that if a Polynomial P(x) of degree n, shares n points with xⁿ, then P(x)=xⁿ.

(a more general proof would be almost the same but for two polynomials, but I think I've proved this if this is proved)

Homework Equations

(FTA) Fundamental Theorem of Algebra - Every P(x) of degree n has at most n roots.

The Attempt at a Solution

An idea was to make an analogy between the proof of FTA and this probem. To use for example the factorization: P(x)= ∏(x-r_i) Which when proved valid, proves the FTA too. But I don't understand the proofs given online too well.

But also if we accept FTA, we could also possibly analyze P(x)-xⁿ which shall be called D(x).
D(x) has degree (n-1) since xⁿ-xⁿ=0.
Also since P(x) and xⁿ have n equal points, then D(x) has n zeroes.
But FTA says that the D(x) of degree (n-1) has at most n-1 zeroes. But it has n zeroes. Therefore it must equal 0 itself. P(x)-xⁿ=0 ⇔ P(x)=xⁿ

Is this correct? Is there any simpler way to prove or address this or the more general problem?

 

[Dick]

Homework Statement

Prove that if a Polynomial P(x) of degree n, shares n points with xⁿ, then P(x)=xⁿ.

(a more general proof would be almost the same but for two polynomials, but I think I've proved this if this is proved)

Homework Equations

(FTA) Fundamental Theorem of Algebra - Every P(x) of degree n has at most n roots.

The Attempt at a Solution

An idea was to make an analogy between the proof of FTA and this probem. To use for example the factorization: P(x)= ∏(x-r_i) Which when proved valid, proves the FTA too. But I don't understand the proofs given online too well.

But also if we accept FTA, we could also possibly analyze P(x)-xⁿ which shall be called D(x).
D(x) has degree (n-1) since xⁿ-xⁿ=0.
Also since P(x) and xⁿ have n equal points, then D(x) has n zeroes.
But FTA says that the D(x) of degree (n-1) has at most n-1 zeroes. But it has n zeroes. Therefore it must equal 0 itself. P(x)-xⁿ=0 ⇔ P(x)=xⁿ

Is this correct? Is there any simpler way to prove or address this or the more general problem?

Looking at D(x) is the right way to do it. BTW D(x) doesn't necessarily have degree (n-1). The largest degree it could have is n-1, but it might have less.

 

[Ray Vickson]

Homework Statement

Prove that if a Polynomial P(x) of degree n, shares n points with xⁿ, then P(x)=xⁿ.

(a more general proof would be almost the same but for two polynomials, but I think I've proved this if this is proved)

Homework Equations

(FTA) Fundamental Theorem of Algebra - Every P(x) of degree n has at most n roots.

The Attempt at a Solution

An idea was to make an analogy between the proof of FTA and this probem. To use for example the factorization: P(x)= ∏(x-r_i) Which when proved valid, proves the FTA too. But I don't understand the proofs given online too well.

But also if we accept FTA, we could also possibly analyze P(x)-xⁿ which shall be called D(x).
D(x) has degree (n-1) since xⁿ-xⁿ=0.
Also since P(x) and xⁿ have n equal points, then D(x) has n zeroes.
But FTA says that the D(x) of degree (n-1) has at most n-1 zeroes. But it has n zeroes. Therefore it must equal 0 itself. P(x)-xⁿ=0 ⇔ P(x)=xⁿ

Is this correct? Is there any simpler way to prove or address this or the more general problem?

You can prove the result without knowing the FTA. If you have
x_i^n + a_{n-1} x_i^{n-1} + \cdots + a_0 = x_i^n, i = 1,2,\ldots,n\\<br /> \text{where } x_1 &lt; x_2 &lt; \cdots &lt; x_n.
you need to show that this gives you
a_{n-1} = a_{n-2} = \cdots = a_0 = 0.
Note that you have a set of n equations in the n unknowns a_j, and the coefficient matrix is a Vandermonde matrix.

RGV

 

[Swimmingly!]

You can prove the result without knowing the FTA. If you have
x_i^n + a_{n-1} x_i^{n-1} + \cdots + a_0 = x_i^n, i = 1,2,\ldots,n\\<br /> \text{where } x_1 &lt; x_2 &lt; \cdots &lt; x_n.
you need to show that this gives you
a_{n-1} = a_{n-2} = \cdots = a_0 = 0.
Note that you have a set of n equations in the n unknowns a_j, and the coefficient matrix is a Vandermonde matrix. RGV

I've looked the Vandermonde matrix up, but I had never seen it before.
I've set a system which is equivalent to say P(a_j)=a_jⁿ
If we subtract xⁿ from both sides. We get p(a_j)=0 , p of degree n-1
If we set all the equations we get a square matrix. Whose determinant can be taken.
If VC (Vandermonde times coefficients) is a matrix that represents the system of all equations p(a_j)=0
Then we get VC=[0] ⇔ |VC|=0
V has no null lines and they're not linearly dependent.(actually one a could be zero)
=> |V|≠0, therefore C ought to be 0 since all it does is make a linear combination of the columns of V.
Or possibly another is to argue that either V is not invertible and |V|=0 which is false, or |V| is invertible and V^-1VC=0⇔C=0

PS:I'm a bit tired today, sorry for the trouble with clearly formalizing my thoughts.
Thank you for the help so far.