Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Roots of Polynomial

Problem: Root Multiplicity

Question: Let \( c \) be a fixed real number. Show that a root of the equation \[ x(x+1)(x+2)\dots(x+2009)=c \] can have a multiplicity of at most 2.

Solution:

Let \( f(x) = x(x+1)(x+2)\dots(x+2009) - c \). Note that \( f(x) \) is a polynomial of degree 2010.

First, we compute the derivative \( f'(x) \). By the generalized product rule, the derivative of a product of \( n \) factors is the sum of \( n \) terms, where in each term exactly one factor is differentiated (which is just 1 in this case) and the rest are left alone. Therefore:

\( f'(x) = \sum_{j=0}^{2009} \prod_{\substack{i=0 \\ i \neq j}}^{2009} (x+i) \)

Now, let's evaluate \( f'(x) \) at the integers \( x = -r \), where \( r \in \{0, 1, 2, \dots, 2009\} \). Because every term in the sum contains the factor \( (x+r) \) except the term where \( j=r \), all terms in the sum will evaluate to 0 except that one specific term.

Thus, evaluating at \( x = -r \) gives:

\[ f'(-r) = (-r)(-r+1)\dots(-1)(1)(2)\dots(2009-r) \] \[ f'(-r) = (-1)^r r! (2009-r)! \]

Since factorials are always positive, the sign of \( f'(-r) \) depends entirely on \( (-1)^r \). It is positive if \( r \) is even, and negative if \( r \) is odd. Evaluating this for our range gives alternating signs:

• \( f'(0) > 0 \)
• \( f'(-1) < 0 \)
• \( f'(-2) > 0 \)
• ...
• \( f'(-2008) > 0 \)
• \( f'(-2009) < 0 \)

By the Intermediate Value Theorem, since the continuous function \( f'(x) \) changes sign between each of these consecutive integers, \( f'(x) = 0 \) must have at least one real root in each of the open intervals: \( (-1, 0), (-2, -1), \dots, (-2009, -2008) \).

There are exactly 2009 such intervals. Since the degree of \( f'(x) \) is 2009, it can have at most 2009 roots. Therefore, \( f'(x) \) has exactly 2009 distinct real roots (one in each interval). Because all 2009 roots are distinct, every root of \( f'(x) \) is simple (meaning no root of \( f'(x) \) has a multiplicity greater than 1).

Finally, we apply the property of multiple roots: If a polynomial \( f(x) \) has a root of multiplicity \( k \ge 3 \), then its derivative \( f'(x) \) must have that same root with multiplicity \( k-1 \ge 2 \). However, we just proved that \( f'(x) \) only has roots of multiplicity 1. Therefore, no root of \( f(x) = 0 \) can have a multiplicity of 3 or higher. A root of the equation can have a multiplicity of at most 2.

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Integration

Let $n$ be a positive integer Define \[f(x) = min \{|x-1|,|x-2|,\dots,|x-n|\} \] $$$$ Then evaluate \[ \int_{0}^{n+1} f(x) dx \] $$$$ When \(0 < x < 1+ \frac{1}{2} \), $|x-1|=min \{|x-1|,|x-2|,\dots,|x-n|\}$. Now $|x-1|= 1-x$ for \( 0 < x < 1\) and $|x-1|= x-1 $ for $1 < x < 1+ \frac{1}{2}$ $$$$ So, \(\int_{0}^{1+\frac{1}{2}} f(x) dx = \int_{0}^{1} (1-x) dx + \int_{1}^{1+ \frac{1}{2}} (x-1) dx = \frac{1}{2}+ \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4} \dots (A)\) $$$$ When \(n+ \frac{1}{2} < x < n+1 \), $|x-n|=min \{|x-1|,|x-2|,\dots,|x-n|\}$. Now $|x-n|= x-n$ for \( n+ \frac{1}{2} < x < n+1 \)$$$$ So, \(\int_{n+\frac{1}{2}}^{n+1} f(x) dx = \int_{n+\frac{1}{2}}^{n+1} (x-n) dx = \frac{1}{2}- \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4} \dots (B)\) $$$$ Consider the diagram given below where $1 < k \leq n$,. When \( x \in \big(k-\frac{1}{2},k+\frac{1}{2} \big) \), $|x-k|$ is minimum among $|x-i|$ where $i=1,2,3,\dots,k-1,k+1,\dots,n$ $$$$ $$$$ So, \( \int_{k-\frac{1}{2}}^{k+\frac{1}{2}} f(x) dx = \int_{k-\frac{1}{2}}^{k+\frac{1}{2}} |x-k| dx = \int_{k-\frac{1}{2}}^{k} (k-x) dx + \int_{k}^{k+\frac{1}{2}} (x-k) dx = \frac{1}{4}\) for $k=2,3,4\dots,n$.$$$$ Summing for $k=2,3,4\dots,n$ we get \[\int_{1+\frac{1}{2}}^{n+\frac{1}{2}} f(x) dx = \frac{(n-1)}{4} \dots (C)\] $$$$ Adding equations $A,C$ and $B$ we get \[ \int_{0}^{n+1} f(x) dx = \int_{0}^{1+\frac{1}{2}} f(x) dx+ \int_{1+\frac{1}{2}}^{n+\frac{1}{2}} f(x) dx+\int_{n+\frac{1}{2}}^{n+1} f(x) dx = \frac{1}{2}+ \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4}+ \frac{(n-1)}{4}+ \frac{1}{2}- \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4} \] $$$$ \[= \frac{(n-1)}{4}+1 = \frac{n+3}{4} \]

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Square of a real is non-negative

Show that the following system of inequalities has exactly one solution $a-b^2 \geq \frac{1}{4},$ $b-c^2 \geq \frac{1}{4},$ $c-d^2 \geq \frac{1}{4}$ and $d-a^2 \geq \frac{1}{4}.$ $$$$ Adding up all the inequalities we get \( a-b^2 + b-c^2 + c-d^2 + d-a^2 \geq \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{4} +\frac{1}{4} \) $$$$ \( \implies a-a^2 - \frac{1}{4} + b-b^2- \frac{1}{4} + c-c^2 - \frac{1}{4} + d-d^2 - \frac{1}{4} \geq 0 \) $$$$ \( \implies -\big(a- \frac{1}{2} \big)^2 -\big(b- \frac{1}{2} \big)^2 - \big(c- \frac{1}{2} \big)^2 - \big(d- \frac{1}{2} \big)^2 \geq 0 \) $$$$ which is possible only when R.H.S is zero i.e., \( a=b=c=d= \frac{1}{2} \), since the R.H.S is always non-positive.

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Limits at Infinity

Let \( a_1 > a_2 > \dots > a_r \) be positive real numbers. Compute \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \big( a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n \big)^{\frac{1}{n}}\). $$$$ Since \( a_1 > a_2 > \dots > a_r \) and each of them is positive we have \(a_1^n>a_2^n>\dots>a_r^n \) $$$$ \( \implies a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n < a_1^n+a_1^n+\dots+a_1^n = ra_1^n \) $$$$ Letting \( n \to \infty \) we have, \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \big( a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n \big)^{\frac{1}{n}} < \lim_{n \to \infty}(ra_1^n)^{\frac{1}{n}} \) \( = a_1\lim_{n \to \infty}r^{\frac{1}{n}}= a_1 \) Note $r>0$ $$$$ Now, \( \big( a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n \big)^{\frac{1}{n}} = \bigg( a_1^n \big(1+\frac{a_2^n}{a_1^n}+\dots+\frac{a_r}{a_1}\big) \bigg)^{\frac{1}{n}} = a_1\bigg( 1+\frac{a_2^n}{a_1^n}+\dots+\frac{a_r}{a_1}\big) \bigg)^{\frac{1}{n}} > a_1 \) Since \(\bigg( 1+\frac{a_2^n}{a_1^n}+\dots+\frac{a_r}{a_1} \bigg)^{\frac{1}{n}} > 1\) $$$$ Letting \( n \to \infty \) we have, \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \big( a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n \big)^{\frac{1}{n}} > \lim_{n \to \infty}a_1 =a_1 \) $$$$ Thus by $Sandwhich-theorem$ \(\lim_{n \to \infty} \big( a_1^n+a_2^n+\dots+a_r^n \big)^{\frac{1}{n}} = a_1\)

Inequality

$Problem$ #3 $$ $$ Find all real numbers $x$ for which \(\sqrt{3-x}-\sqrt{x+1} > \frac{1}{2}\) $$ $$ Let $f(x)$ \(=\sqrt{3-x}-\sqrt{x+1}\). First note that $f(x)$ is defined for \( -1 \leq x \leq 3 \) $$ $$ \( f'(x) = \frac{-1}{2\sqrt{3-x}} - \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x+1}} = - \big(\frac{1}{2\sqrt{3-x}} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x+1}}\big) < 0 \Rightarrow f(x)\) is strictly decreasing $$ $$ Now \( f(-1) = 2 > \frac{1}{2}\) and \( f(3) = -2 < \frac{1}{2}\) Since $f(x)$ is continuous, $\exists$ at least one x $\in$ ${(-1,3)}$ suct that $f(x) = \frac{1}{2}$ $$ $$ \( f(x) = \frac{1}{2} \Rightarrow \sqrt{3-x}-\sqrt{x+1} = \frac{1}{2} \Rightarrow 64x^2-128x+33 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 1 \pm \frac{\sqrt{31}}{8} \)$$ $$ but \(x = 1 + \frac{\sqrt{31}}{8}\) does not satisfy \(\sqrt{3-x}-\sqrt{x+1} = \frac{1}{2}\) Check yourself! So the only solution is \(x = 1 - \frac{\sqrt{31}}{8}\) $$ $$ Since $f(x)$ is strictly decreasing, the given inequality is true for \( x \in {[-1,1 - \frac{\sqrt{31}}{8}\big)}\) $$ $$

Matrices & Determinants

$Problem$ #1 $$ $$ If $A$ and $B$ are different matrices satisfying \( A^3 = B^3 \) and \(A^2B = B^2A\), find \(det(A^2+B^2)\) $$ $$ Since $A$ and $B$ are different matrices \( A-B \neq O \), Now \((A^2+B^2)(A-B) = A^3-A^2B+B^2A-B^3\) $$ $$ =$O$ since \(A^3 = B^3\) and \(A^2B = B^2A\) $$ $$ This shows that \((A^2+B^2)\) has a zero divisor, so it is not invertible hence \(det(A^2+B^2) = 0\)

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Number Theory

Let $k$ be any odd integer greater that 1. Then show that \( 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+2006^k \) is divisible by 2013021. $$$$ We will prove the general case. Let \(S= 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+n^k\) where $n \geq 2$ and \(n\in \mathbb{N}\). $$$$ \(2S = 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+n^k + 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+n^k = (1^k+n^k)+(2^k+(n-1)^k)+\dots \dots+(n^k+1^k)\) $$$$ Using the result, $n^k+m^k$ is always divisible by $n+m$ if $k$ is odd we see that $2S$ is divisible by $(n+1)$ $$$$ Again \(2S = 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+n^k + 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+n^k\) $$$$ \( = (1^k+(n-1)^k)+(2^k+(n-2)^k)+\dots \dots+((n-1)^k+1^k)+2n^k\) $$$$ Using the same result and noting that $2n^k$ is divisible by $n$ we see that $2S$ is divisible by $n$. Now both $n$ an $n+1$ divides $2S$ and $g.c.d(n.n+1)=1$ we see that $n(n+1)$ divides $2S$ this implies $\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$ divides $S$. ( $n(n+1)$ is always even) $$$$ In the given problem $n=2006$, thus \( 1^k+2^k+3^k+\dots \dots+2006^k \) is divisible by $\frac{2006(2006+1)}{2}=2013021$

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Combinatorics

In how many ways one can choose three distinct numbers from the set \( \{1,2,3,\dots \dots,19,20\}\) such that their product is divisible by 4? $$$$ We partition the set \( \{1,2,3,\dots \dots,19,20\}\) into three disjoint sets \(S_1=\{4,8,12,16,20\},S_2=\{2,6,10,14,18\},S_3=\{1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19\}\) $$$$ Three selected (distinct) numbers will not be divisible by $4$ $iff$ all the $three$ numbers are selected form $S_3$ or $two$ of them are selected from $S_3$ and $one$ of them from $S_1$. Numbers of such numbers are \( \binom{10}{3}+\binom{5}{2} \times \binom{5}{1} = 345 \) $$$$ So numbers of selection such that their product is divisible by $4$ is \(\binom{20}{3}-345= 795 \)

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Number Theory

Find the digit at the unit place of \[\big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big )^{\big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big )}\] First note that \( k! \equiv 0 (mod\ 10) \) for all $k \geq 5 , k \in \mathbb{N}$ $$$$ So, \( 5!-6!+7!-\dots \dots +25! \equiv 0 (mod\ 10) \) and \( 1!-2!+3!-4! = -19 \equiv 1 (mod\ 10)\) (Using the property of $congruences$). $$$$ Using the above two congruences \( \big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big ) \equiv 1 (mod\ 10) \) $$$$ So, \[\big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big )^{\big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big )} \equiv 1^{\big(1!-2!+3!-\dots \dots +25!\big )} \equiv 1 (mod 10) \] giving $1$ as the last digit. $$$$ Let \(a \equiv a' (mod\ m) \) and \(b \equiv b' (mod\ m)\), then important properties of $congruences$ include the following, where $\implies$ means "implies": $$$$ 1. Reflexivity: $a\equiv a (mod- m)$. $$$$ 2. Symmetry: \(a\equiv b (mod\ m) \implies b\equiv a (mod\ m)\).$$$$ 3. Transitivity: \(a\equiv b (mod\ m)\) and \(b \equiv c (mod\ m)\implies a\equiv c (mod\ m)\). $$$$ 4. \(a+b \equiv a'+b' (mod\ m)\)$$$$ 5. \(a-b\equiv a'-b' (mod\ m)\). $$$$ 6. \(ab\equiv a'b' (mod\ m)\). $$$$ 7. \(a\equiv b (mod\ m)\implies ka \equiv kb (mod\ m)\). $$$$ 8. \(a\equiv b (mod\ m)\implies a^n\equiv b^n (mod\ m)\). $$$$ 9. \(ak\equiv bk (mod\ m)\implies\) \(a\equiv b \big(mod\ \frac{m}{(k,m)}\big),\) where $(k,m)$ is the greatest common divisor. $$$$ 11. If $a \equiv b (mod\ m)$, then $P(a) \equiv P(b) (mod\ m)$, for $P(x)$ a polynomial with integer coefficients.

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Number Theory

Find the sum of all even positive divisors of $1000$. $$$$ \( 1000 = 2^3 \times 5^3 \). Now any even divisor of $1000$ must contain a factor of the form $2^j$ where $j \in \{1,2,3\}$. We note that $2$ and $5$ are the only prime factors of $1000$ , so a even factor must be of the form $2^j\times 5^i$ where $j \in \{1,2,3\}$ and $i \in \{0,1,2,3\}$. $$$$ So the required sum is \( \sum_{j=0}^{3} \sum_{i=1}^{3} 2^i \times 5^j =\sum_{j=0}^{3} 14 \times 5^j = 14 \times \frac{5^4-1}{5-1} = 2184\)

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Integration

Let $\alpha$ and $\beta$ be two positive real numbers. For any integer $n>0$, define \( a_n = \int_{\beta}^{n} \frac{\alpha}{u(u^\alpha+2+u^{-\alpha})}du\). Then find \( \lim_{n \to \infty} a_n \). $$$$ Multiplying $u^{\alpha-1}$ to the numerator and denominator of the integrand, we have \( a_n = \int_{\beta}^{n} \frac{\alpha u^{\alpha-1}}{u\times u^{\alpha-1}(u^\alpha+2+u^{-\alpha})}du\) $$$$ Substituting $u^{\alpha}=t$ we get the transformed integral as \(a_n = \int_{\beta^\alpha}^{n^\alpha}\frac{dt}{(t+1)^2}dt = \frac{n^\alpha-\beta^\alpha}{(1+\beta^\alpha)(1+n^\alpha)}\) $$$$ Therefore,\( \lim_{n \to \infty} a_n = \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{n^\alpha-\beta^\alpha}{(1+\beta^\alpha)(1+n^\alpha)}= \lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1-\big({\frac{\beta}{n}}\big)^\alpha}{(1+\beta^\alpha)(1+\frac{1}{n})}=\frac{1}{1+\beta^\alpha}\)

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Number Theory

Let $S$ be the set of all integers $k$, \( 1 \leq k \leq n\), such that $g.c.d(k,n)=1$. What is the arithmetic mean of the integers in $S$?. $$$$ First note that \( |S| = \phi(n) \). Now let $k \in S$ then there exists intergers $u,v$ such that $ku+nv=1\dots (A)$. $$$$ The integer \( n-k \in \{1,2,\dots,n-1\} \) because $k$ can never be equals $n$, for $g.c.d(n,n)=n$ and $k \in S$. We will now show that $g.c.d(n-k,n)=1.$ Adding $-nu$ to both sides of $(A)$ we get \( -nu+ku+nv=-nu+1 \implies -u(n-k)+(v+u)n = 1 \implies g.c.d(n-k,n)=1 \) $$$$ So, for \( k \in \{1,2,\dots,n-1\}\) if \( k \in S \implies n-k \in S \) Thus $S$ can be written in the form, \( S=\{k_1,k_2,k,.....,k_r,n-k_r,......,n-k_2,n-k_1\} \) where $|S| = \phi(n)$ $$$$ Clearly the sum of the elements of $S$ is \( (k_1+n-k_1)+(k_2+n-k_2)+\dots+(k_r+n-k_r) = \frac{n\phi(n)}{2} \) ( Pairing reduces the terms to half the original ($\phi(n)))$. $$$$ arithmetic mean \[ =\frac{\frac{n\phi(n)}{2}}{\phi(n)} = \frac{n}{2} \]

Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Inequality

If \(a,b,c \in (0,1) \) satisfy $a+b+c=2$, prove that \( \frac{abc}{(1-a)(1-b)(1-c)} \geq 8. \) $$$$ Let \( p = 1-a, q = 1-b, r = 1-c \). $p+q+r= 3-(a+b+c)=1$.Clearly $p,q,r$ are positive. Substituting in the given inequality, it transforms to $$$$ \( \frac{(1-p)(1-q)(1-r)}{pqr} \geq 8 \iff {(1-p)(1-q)(1-r)} \geq 8{pqr} \) $$$$ \( \iff 1-(p+q+r)+qr+rp+pq-pqr \geq 8{pqr} \iff qr+rp+pq-pqr \geq 8{pqr} \) $$$$ \( \iff qr+rp+pq \geq 9{pqr} \iff \frac{1}{p}+\frac{1}{q}+\frac{1}{r} \geq 9 \) $$$$ Thus proving the above inequality reduces to proving \(\frac{1}{p}+\frac{1}{q}+\frac{1}{r} \geq 9\) subjected to $p+q+r=1$ $$$$ Since $p,q,r$ are positive, apllying $A.M \geq H.M$ we have \( \frac{p+q+r}{3} \geq \frac{3}{\frac{1}{p}+\frac{1}{q}+\frac{1}{r}}\) $$$$ Noting $p+q+r=1$, we have \(\frac{1}{p}+\frac{1}{q}+\frac{1}{r} \geq 9 \)