MHB Prove that there is no integer a with P(a)=8.

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The discussion centers on proving that a polynomial \( P(x) \) with integer coefficients cannot equal 8 for any integer \( a \) if it takes the value 5 at four distinct integers \( x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4 \). The key argument involves the properties of polynomials and their behavior at integer points. Since \( P(x) - 5 \) has four roots, it can be expressed as \( P(x) - 5 = k(x - x_1)(x - x_2)(x - x_3)(x - x_4) \) for some integer \( k \). Evaluating this at any integer \( a \) shows that \( P(a) \) can only yield values that are congruent to 5 modulo \( k \), thus ruling out the possibility of \( P(a) = 8 \). Consequently, the conclusion is that no integer \( a \) exists such that \( P(a) = 8 \.
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Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integral coefficients. Suppose that there exist four distinct integers $x_1,\,x_2,\,x_3,\,x_4$ with $P(x_1)=P(x_2)=P(x_3)=P(x_4)=5$.

Prove that there is no integer $a$ with $P(a)=8$.
 
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anemone said:
Let $P(x)$ be a polynomial with integral coefficients. Suppose that there exist four distinct integers $x_1,\,x_2,\,x_3,\,x_4$ with $P(x_1)=P(x_2)=P(x_3)=P(x_4)=5$.

Prove that there is no integer $a$ with $P(a)=8$.

This is similar to a problem that I had posted months ago. at http://mathhelpboards.com/challenge-questions-puzzles-28/polynomial-11288.html
so solution is similar

let Q(x) = P(x) - 5 is zero for $x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4$So $Q(x) = R(x)(x-x_1)(x-x_2)(x-x_3)(x-x_4)$ where R(x) is a polynomial of degree zero or moreso $Q(x)$ for x an integer is a product of at least 4 different integers as R(x) can be 1but 3 is not a product of at least 4 different integers . it is product of at most 3 different integers (-1) * (-3) * 1so Q(x) cannot be 3 and P(x) cannot be 8 for any integer x
 
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Thanks, kaliprasad, for your solution!

And...Ah! I read that polynomial thread before, but didn't remember it at all...:o sorry for posting a quite similar problem in that thread here, kali! :(
 
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