Question

Let $p(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + bx + c,$ where $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ are complex numbers. Suppose that $\begin{gathered} p(2009 + 9002\pi i) \\ = p(2009) \\ = p(9002) = 0. \end{gathered}$ What is the number of nonreal zeros of $x^{12} + ax^8 + bx^4 + c?$

$4$

$6$

$8$

$10$

$12$

Answer: C

Concepts:polynomial complex number roots of unity

Difficulty rating: 2170

Solution:

Since $x^{12} + ax^8 + bx^4 + c = p(x^4),$ a value is a zero exactly when $x^4$ equals one of the roots of $p,$ namely $2009 + 9002\pi i,$ $2009,$ or $9002.$

The equation $x^4 = 2009 + 9002\pi i$ has four distinct nonreal roots. Each of $x^4 = 2009$ and $x^4 = 9002$ has two real roots and two nonreal roots.

So the nonreal zeros number $4 + 2 + 2 = 8.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2009 AMC 12A Problem 21

Answer: C

Difficulty rating: 2170

Solution:

Problem 21 in Other Years