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Find a monic quartic polynomial f(x) with rational coefficients whose roots include x = 1 - \sqrt{2} and x = 2 and x = 7. Give your answer in expanded form.

 Feb 21, 2025
 #1
avatar+130466 
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If 1 -sqrt 2  is a root, so is 1 + sqrt 2

 

So

(x - (1 -sqrt 2)) ( x - (1 + sqrt 2)) (x - 2) ( x -7)

 

Taking this  by parts

 

(x - (1 - sqrt 2)) ( x -(1 + sqrt 2) = 

 

x^2  - (1-sqrt 2)x - (1 + sqrt 2)x  +  ( 1-sqrt 2)(1 + sqrt 2)   =

 

x^2  -2x  + 1 - 2  =

 

x^2 -2x - 1

 

And ( x -2) (x -7) =  x^2  - 9x + 14

 

So

 

x^2  - 2x   -1

x^2 -9x + 14     

___________    =

 

x^4 -9x^3 + 14x^2

     -2x^3 +  18x^2  - 28x

                -   x^2    + 9x  - 14   =

 

x^4 -11x^3 + 31x^2 - 19x - 14   

 

cool cool cool

 Feb 21, 2025

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