MHB Real Roots of Cubic Equation: $x^3+a^3x^2+b^3x+c^3=0$

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The discussion focuses on the conditions under which the roots of the cubic equation $x^3 + ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, denoted as $t, u, v$, can be transformed into the roots of another cubic equation $x^3 + a^3x^2 + b^3x + c^3 = 0$ by cubing them. Participants explore the relationships between the coefficients $a, b, c$ and the roots $t^3, u^3, v^3$. The conversation delves into the implications of Vieta's formulas and how they apply to both equations. Key points include the necessity for specific relationships among the coefficients to ensure that the cubed roots satisfy the new equation. The discussion concludes with insights into the algebraic manipulation required to derive these relationships.
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An equation $x^3+ax^2+bx+c=0$ has three (but not necessarily distinct) real roots $t,\,u,\,v$. For what values of $a,\,b,\,c$ are the numbers $t^3,\,u^3,\,v^3$ roots of an equation $x^3+a^3x^2+b^3x+c^3=0$?
 
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Let $P(x)=x^3+ax^2+bx+c$ with roots $t,\,u,\,v$ and $Q(x)=x^3+a^3x^2+b^3x+c^3$ whose roots are $t^3,\,u^3,\,v^3$ respectively. By the Viete formula, we have

$t+u+v=-a,\\tu+uv+vt=b,\\tuv=-c$ and

$t^3+u^3+v^3=-a^3,\\(tu)^3+(uv)^3+(vt)^3=b^3,\\(tuv)^3=-c^3$

Note that

$(t+u+v)^3=t^3+u^3+v^3+3(t+u+v)(tu+uv+vt)-3tuv$

which gives $-a^3=-a^3-3ab+3c$, or equivalently, $c=ab$. In this case $Q(x)$ has the form

$Q(x)=x^3+a^3x^2+b^3x+(ab)^3=(x+a^3)(x^2+b^3)$

This polynomial has a root $x=-a$ and for the other two roots we should have $b\le 0$. Thus the conditions are

$ab=c,\\ b\le 0$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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