2019 AMC 12B Problem 21
Attempt Problem 21 of the 2019 AMC 12B below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2019 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.
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21.
How many quadratic polynomials with real coefficients are there such that the set of roots equals the set of coefficients? (For clarification: If the polynomial is and the roots are and then the requirement is that )
infinitely many
Answer: B
Solution:
If all three coefficients had one value the polynomial would be whose roots do not equal Thus the coefficient and root sets both have two distinct values, so exactly two coefficients coincide. By Vieta's formulas, and
First suppose and The roots are so Vieta gives and Hence producing and
If and the same product equation gives while the sum equation leaves only This gives
Finally, if and the product equation gives so The sum equation becomes This strictly increasing cubic has one real root producing exactly one more polynomial, Therefore there are polynomials.
Thus, B is the correct answer.
Problem 21 in Other Years
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