2007 AIME I Problem 8

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 8 of the 2007 AIME I, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2007 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

All of the real AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME problems in our complete solution collection are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Concepts:polynomialquadraticfactoring

Difficulty rating: 2500

8.

The polynomial P(x)P(x) is cubic. What is the largest value of kk for which the polynomials Q1(x)=x2+(k29)xkQ_1(x) = x^2 + (k - 29)x - k and Q2(x)=2x2+(2k43)x+kQ_2(x) = 2x^2 + (2k - 43)x + k are both factors of P(x)?P(x)?

Solution:

If Q1Q_1 and Q2Q_2 had no common root, their product — of degree 44 — would divide the cubic P(x),P(x), which is impossible. So they share a root r,r, and 2Q1(r)Q2(r)=0.2Q_1(r) - Q_2(r) = 0. Computing, 2Q1(x)Q2(x)=15x3k,2Q_1(x) - Q_2(x) = -15x - 3k, so r=k5.r = -\frac{k}{5}.

Substituting into Q1(r)=0Q_1(r) = 0 gives k225(k29)k5k=0;\frac{k^2}{25} - (k - 29)\frac{k}{5} - k = 0; multiplying by 2525 and simplifying yields 4k2+120k=0,-4k^2 + 120k = 0, so k=0k = 0 or k=30.k = 30.

For k=30,k = 30, Q1(x)=x2+x30=(x+6)(x5)Q_1(x) = x^2 + x - 30 = (x + 6)(x - 5) and Q2(x)=2x2+17x+30=(x+6)(2x+5),Q_2(x) = 2x^2 + 17x + 30 = (x + 6)(2x + 5), and both divide P(x)=(x+6)(x5)(2x+5).P(x) = (x + 6)(x - 5)(2x + 5). The largest value is 30.30.

← Problem 7Full ExamProblem 9

Problem 8 in Other Years