MHB What is the value of (a+b)^3+(b+c)^3+(c+a)^3 for the roots of 8x^3+1001x+2008=0?

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To find the value of (a+b)³ + (b+c)³ + (c+a)³ for the roots a, b, and c of the cubic equation 8x³ + 1001x + 2008 = 0, the discussion highlights the application of symmetric sums and Vieta's formulas. The roots' relationships are leveraged to express the required sum in terms of the coefficients of the polynomial. The final result simplifies to a specific numerical value derived from these calculations. The importance of correctly applying algebraic identities is emphasized throughout the discussion. Ultimately, the solution reveals the significance of understanding polynomial roots in relation to their symmetric sums.
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Let $a,\,b,\,c$ be the three roots of the equation $8x^3+1001x+2008=0$.

Find $(a+b)^3+(b+c)^3+(c+a)^3$.
 
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We have from vieta's formula
$a+b+ c = 0\cdots(1)$
$abc = - \frac{2008}{8}\cdots(2)$

hence a+b =-c
b+c = -a
c + a = -b

Hence $(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = -c^3-a^3-b^3 = - (c^3+a^3+b^3)\cdots(3)$

as $a+b+c=0$ so $a^3+b^+c^3 = 3abc \cdots(4)$

from (3) and (4)

$(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = - 3abc = -3 (-\frac{2008}{8})= -753 $ (using (2)

Hence Ans = - 753
 
kaliprasad said:
We have from vieta's formula
$a+b+ c = 0\cdots(1)$
$abc = - \frac{2008}{8}\cdots(2)$

hence a+b =-c
b+c = -a
c + a = -b

Hence $(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = -c^3-a^3-b^3 = - (c^3+a^3+b^3)\cdots(3)$

as $a+b+c=0$ so $a^3+b^+c^3 = 3abc \cdots(4)$

from (3) and (4)

$(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = - 3abc = -3 (-\frac{2008}{8})= -753 $ (using (2)

Hence Ans = - 753

there were issues and I could not edit the solution hence doing below

We have from vieta's formula
$a+b+ c = 0\cdots(1)$
$abc = - \frac{2008}{8}\cdots(2)$

hence a+b =-c
b+c = -a
c + a = -b

Hence $(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = -c^3-a^3-b^3 = - (c^3+a^3+b^3)\cdots(3)$

as $a+b+c=0$ so $a^3+b^3+c^3 = 3abc \cdots(4)$

from (3) and (4)

$(a+b)^3 + (b+c)^3 + (c+a)^3 = - 3abc = -3 (-\frac{2008}{8})= 753 $ (using (2)

Hence Ans = 753
 
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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