Let f(x)=x4+ax3+bx2+cx+d be a polynomial whose roots are all negative integers. If a+b+c+d=2009, find d.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Call the roots −x1,−x2,−x3, and −x4. Then f(x) must factor as (x+x1)(x+x2)(x+x3)(x+x4). If we evaluate f at 1, we get (1+x1)(1+x2)(1+x3)(1+x4)=a+b+c+d+1=2010.2010=2⋅3⋅5⋅67. d is the product of the four roots, so d=(−1)⋅(−2)⋅(−4)⋅(−66).
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