How to Evaluate the Expression for Roots of the Polynomial in POTW #476?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on evaluating the expression for the roots of the polynomial \( f(x) = x^4 - 3x^3 + 2x^2 + 5x - 4 \). The task is to compute \( \left(a+1+\frac{1}{a}\right)\left(b+1+\frac{1}{b}\right)\left(c+1+\frac{1}{c}\right)\left(d+1+\frac{1}{d}\right) \), where \( a, b, c, \) and \( d \) are the roots of the polynomial. The problem highlights the importance of understanding polynomial roots and their properties in evaluating complex expressions. Suggested solutions and methods for approaching this problem were discussed, emphasizing the need for algebraic manipulation and root evaluation techniques.

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Mathematicians, students studying algebra, and anyone interested in polynomial equations and their properties will benefit from this discussion.

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Here is this week's POTW:

-----Let $a,\,b,\,c$ and $d$ be the roots to the polynomial $f(x)=x^4-3x^3+2x^2+5x-4$ . Evaluate $\left(a+1+\dfrac{1}{a}\right)\left(b+1+\dfrac{1}{b}\right)\left(c+1+\dfrac{1}{c}\right)\left(d+1+\dfrac{1}{d}\right)$.
-----

 
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No one answered last two week's POTW. However, you can read the suggested solution as follows:
Let $w=e^{\frac{2\pi i}{3}}$ so

$\begin{align*}P(x)&=x^4-3x^3+2x^2+5x-4\\&=2w^2+6w-7\\&=2\left(-\dfrac{1}{2}-\dfrac{i\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)+6\left(-\dfrac{1}{2}+\dfrac{i\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)-7\\&=-1+i\sqrt{3}-3+3i\sqrt{3}-7=2i\sqrt{3}-11\end{align*}$

With this we see that what we are intended to find is indeed $\displaystyle \prod_{f(r)=0}\dfrac{r^2+r+1}{r}=(-1)^4\prod_{f(r)=0}\dfrac{(w-r)(w^2-r)}{(0-r)}=\dfrac{P(w)P(w^2)}{P(0)}$.

Since $w^2=\overline{w}$, $P(w^2)=\overline{P(w)}$, so $P(w^2)=-2i\sqrt{3}-11$ and so

$P(w)P(w^2)=|2i\sqrt{3}-11|^2=121+12=133$

and $P(0)=-4$,

Hence $\left(a+1+\dfrac{1}{a}\right)\left(b+1+\dfrac{1}{b}\right)\left(c+1+\dfrac{1}{c}\right)\left(d+1+\dfrac{1}{d}\right)=-\dfrac{133}{4}$.
 

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