Riley hobson bence · Problem 1.29

Preliminary algebra

Mathematics — Methods · rational-roots-polynomial-contradiction

Problem

Prove, by the method of contradiction, that the equation xn+an−1xn−1+⋯+a1x+a0=0,x^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 x + a_0 = 0, in which all the coefficients aia_i are integers, cannot have a rational root, unless that root is an integer. Deduce that any integral root must be a divisor of a0a_0 and hence find all rational roots of (a) x4+6x3+4x2+5x+4=0x^4 + 6x^3 + 4x^2 + 5x + 4 = 0, (b) x4+5x3+2x2−10x+6=0x^4 + 5x^3 + 2x^2 - 10x + 6 = 0.

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