olymmath

Putnam 2023 A2

  • Session A

Let nn be an even positive integer. Let pp be a monic, real polynomial of degree 2n2n; that is to say, p(x)=x2n+a2n−1x2n−1+⋯+a1x+a0p(x) = x^{2n} + a_{2n-1} x^{2n-1} + \cdots + a_1 x + a_0 for some real coefficients a0,…,a2n−1a_0, \dots, a_{2n-1}. Suppose that p(1/k)=k2p(1/k) = k^2 for all integers kk such that 1≤∣k∣≤n1 \leq |k| \leq n. Find all other real numbers xx for which p(1/x)=x2p(1/x) = x^2.

Curated text Kedlaya Putnam archive. Quoted with source.

Solutions

Human solution Solution 1 by Manjul Bhargava, Kiran Kedlaya and Lenny Ng

The terms of the source let olymmath link to this solution but not copy it. Read the solution (Kedlaya Putnam archive).

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