MHB Finding the Sum of Cubes for Rational Numbers with Integer Roots

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The discussion focuses on finding the sum of cubes of rational numbers \( r \) such that all roots of the equation \( rx^2 + (r+2)x + r-1 = 0 \) are integers. It is established that \( r \) cannot be zero, leading to the transformation of the equation into a form where the product of the roots must be an integer. By setting \( r = \frac{1}{n} \) and analyzing the discriminant, it is determined that the only valid values for \( n \) are 1 and -3, resulting in \( r = 1 \) or \( r = -\frac{1}{3} \). Consequently, the sum of cubes is calculated as \( \frac{26}{27} \). The discussion concludes with acknowledgment of contributions that guided the solution process.
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r is rational ,and all the roots of equation:
$rx^2+(r+2)x+r-1=0$ are integers
please find :$\sum r^3$
 
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Albert said:
r is rational ,and all the roots of equation:
$rx^2+(r+2)x+r-1=0$ are integers
please find :$\sum r^3$
[sp]If $r=0$ then the equation becomes $2x-1=0$, which does not have a n integer solution. So $r\ne0$ and we can divide through by $r$, getting $x^2 + \bigl(1 + \frac2r\bigr)x + 1 - \frac1r = 0.$ The product of the roots is $1 - \frac1r$, which must be an integer, so $\frac1r$ is an integer, say $r = \frac1n.$ The equation is then $x^2 + (1+2n)x + 1-n = 0$ and its roots are $x = \frac12\bigl(-1-2n \pm\sqrt{(1+2n)^2 - 4(1-n)}\bigr).$ The discriminant is $$(1+2n)^2 - 4(1-n)= 4n^2 + 8n - 3 = 4(n+1)^2 - 7,$$ and this must be a square, say $4(n+1)^2 - 7 = m^2.$ But the only squares that differ by $7$ are $9$ and $16$. It follows that $4(n+1)^2 = 16$, so $n+1 = \pm 2.$ Therefore $n=1$ or $-3$, and $r=1$ or $-\frac13.$ The sum of cubes is therefore $1 - \frac1{27} = \frac{26}{27}.$[/sp]

Edit. Thanks to Pranav, whose deleted comment set me along the right lines for attacking this problem.
 
Last edited:
Opalg said:
[sp]If $r=0$ then the equation becomes $2x-1=0$, which does not have a n integer solution. So $r\ne0$ and we can divide through by $r$, getting $x^2 + \bigl(1 + \frac2r\bigr)x + 1 - \frac1r = 0.$ The product of the roots is $1 - \frac1r$, which must be an integer, so $\frac1r$ is an integer, say $r = \frac1n.$ The equation is then $x^2 + (1+2n)x + 1-n = 0$ and its roots are $x = \frac12\bigl(-1-2n \pm\sqrt{(1+2n)^2 - 4(1-n)}\bigr).$ The discriminant is $$(1+2n)^2 - 4(1-n)= 4n^2 + 8n - 3 = 4(n+1)^2 - 7,$$ and this must be a square, say $4(n+1)^2 - 7 = m^2.$ But the only squares that differ by $7$ are $9$ and $16$. It follows that $4(n+1)^2 = 16$, so $n+1 = \pm 2.$ Therefore $n=1$ or $-3$, and $r=1$ or $-\frac13.$ The sum of cubes is therefore $1 - \frac1{27} = \frac{26}{27}.$[/sp]

Edit. Thanks to Pranav, whose deleted comment set me along the right lines for attacking this problem.
Superb solution, Opalg! (Clapping)
 
I have been insisting to my statistics students that for probabilities, the rule is the number of significant figures is the number of digits past the leading zeros or leading nines. For example to give 4 significant figures for a probability: 0.000001234 and 0.99999991234 are the correct number of decimal places. That way the complementary probability can also be given to the same significant figures ( 0.999998766 and 0.00000008766 respectively). More generally if you have a value that...

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