Question

Recall that the conjugate of the complex number $w = a + bi,$ where $a$ and $b$ are real numbers and $i = \sqrt{-1},$ is the complex number $\overline{w} = a - bi.$ For any complex number $z,$ let $f(z) = 4i\overline{z}.$ The polynomial $P(z) = z^4 + 4z^3 + 3z^2 + 2z + 1$ has four complex roots: $z_1, z_2, z_3,$ and $z_4.$ Let $Q(z) = z^4 + Az^3 + Bz^2 + Cz + D$ be the polynomial whose roots are $f(z_1), f(z_2), f(z_3),$ and $f(z_4),$ where the coefficients $A, B, C,$ and $D$ are complex numbers. What is $B + D?$

$-304$

$-208$

$12i$

$208$

$304$

Solution:

By Vieta on $P,$ $\sum_{i\lt j} z_iz_j = 3$ and $\prod z_j = 1,$ both real, so their conjugates are also $3$ and $1.$

The roots of $Q$ are $4i\overline{z_j}.$ Then $B$ is the sum of products of pairs: $B = (4i)^2 \sum_{i\lt j}\overline{z_i}\,\overline{z_j} = -16 \cdot 3 = -48.$ And $D = (4i)^4 \prod \overline{z_j} = 256 \cdot 1 = 256.$

So $B + D = -48 + 256 = 208.$

Thus, the correct answer is D.

2021 AMC 12A Fall Problem 15

Solution:

Problem 15 in Other Years