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

2009 AMC 12A Problem 21 — Solution

2009 AMC 12A Problem 21

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 21 of the 2009 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2009 AMC 12A 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:polynomial complex number roots of unity

Difficulty rating: 2170

21.

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

$4$

$6$

$8$

$10$

$12$

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.

← Problem 20 Full Exam Problem 22 →

Problem 21 in Other Years

1999 AMC 12 · 2000 AMC 12 · 2001 AMC 12 · 2002 AMC 12A · 2002 AMC 12B · 2003 AMC 12A · 2003 AMC 12B · 2004 AMC 12A · 2004 AMC 12B · 2005 AMC 12A · 2005 AMC 12B · 2006 AMC 12A · 2006 AMC 12B · 2007 AMC 12A · 2007 AMC 12B · 2008 AMC 12A · 2008 AMC 12B · 2009 AMC 12B · 2010 AMC 12A · 2010 AMC 12B · 2011 AMC 12A · 2011 AMC 12B · 2012 AMC 12A · 2012 AMC 12B · 2013 AMC 12A · 2013 AMC 12B · 2014 AMC 12A · 2014 AMC 12B · 2015 AMC 12A · 2015 AMC 12B · 2016 AMC 12A · 2016 AMC 12B · 2017 AMC 12A · 2017 AMC 12B · 2018 AMC 12A · 2018 AMC 12B · 2019 AMC 12A · 2019 AMC 12B · 2020 AMC 12A · 2020 AMC 12B · 2021 AMC 12A Spring · 2021 AMC 12B Spring · 2021 AMC 12A Fall · 2021 AMC 12B Fall · 2022 AMC 12A · 2022 AMC 12B · 2023 AMC 12A · 2023 AMC 12B · 2024 AMC 12A · 2024 AMC 12B · 2025 AMC 12A · 2025 AMC 12B