Let p and q be two polynomials of degree 3 with integer coefficients, such that the leading coefficients are relatively prime. Let a be a rational number such that p(a) and q(a) are integers. Prove that a is also an integer.
Solution
Let p(x)=b1x3+c1x2+d1x+e1 and q(x)=b2x3+c2x2+d2x+e2. Let us write a=sr where r and s are relatively prime integers and s>0. Denote p(a)=m and q(a)=n. Then b1⋅s3r3+c1⋅s2r2+d1⋅sr+e1=m,b2⋅s3r3+c2⋅s2r2+d2⋅sr+e2=n. Multiplying both identities by s3 we get b1r3+c1r2s+d1rs2+e1s3=ms3,b2r3+c2r2s+d2rs2+e2s3=ns3. This implies that s divides both b1r3 and b2r3. Since s and r are relatively prime, we can conclude that s divides b1 and b2. Since b1 and b2 are relatively prime, we have s=1. So, a=r is an integer.
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