How Can f and g Be Expressed Using Elementary Symmetric Polynomials?

[math_grl]

Let f, g \in \mathbb{Z}[x, y, z] be given as follows: f = x^8 + y^8 + z^6 and g = x^3 +y^3 + z^3. Express if possible f and g as a polynomial in elementary symmetric polynomials in x, y, z.

Professor claims there is an algorithm we were supposed to know for this question on the midterm. I missed it. Any ideas?

 

[Eynstone]

g can be expressed as required using Newton's formula ; f is not even symmetric.

 

[math_grl]

By Newton's formula,
g = (\sigma_1^2 - 2\sigma_2)\sigma_1 - \sigma_1 \sigma_2 + 3\sigma_3 = \sigma_1^2 - 3\sigma_1 \sigma_2 + 3\sigma_3

where the \sigma_i's are the elementary symmetric polynomials?

just trying to verify that I did it right?

and f is not of the form \sum^n_{i=1} x_i^k for some k \in \mathbb{N} so we can't use Newton's formula...but I was wondering one would know precisely that it's not possible to express it in terms of the e.s.p.'s?

 

[Eynstone]

and f is not of the form \sum^n_{i=1} x_i^k for some k \in \mathbb{N} so we can't use Newton's formula...but I was wondering one would know precisely that it's not possible to express it in terms of the e.s.p.'s?

Suppose that f = P(s1,s2,...) is expressible in terms of the e.s.p.'s. P won't change on switching y & z ; f will. A contradiction.