+0

+1
133
3
+133

A nonzero polynomial with rational coefficients has all of the numbers $$1+\sqrt{2}, \; 2+\sqrt{3}, \;3+\sqrt{4},\; \dots, \;1000+\sqrt{1001}$$as roots. What is the smallest possible degree of such a polynomial?

May 4, 2019

#1
+5788
+1

$$\text{The polynomial evaluated at 1 is the sum of the coefficients. This must be a rational number}\\ \text{Thus each root that is not a rational number must have it's conjugate also as a root}\\ \text{This will be all the roots of the form }a + \sqrt{b} \text{ where }\sqrt{b} \not \in \{2,3,\dots,1001\}$$

$$\text{There are 30 numbers in 2-1001 that are perfect squares}\\ \text{So }1000-30=970 \text{ of the roots must also have their conjugate as a root}\\ \text{Thus we have a total of }\\ 30 + 2\cdot 970 = 1970 \text{ is the smallest possible degree of the polynomial}$$

I'm pretty sure this is correct but I might be missing something.  Someone else should take a look.

May 4, 2019
#2
+28135
0

Your reasoning looks good to me!

Alan  May 5, 2019
#3
+133
0

Thanks I understand now

It took me awhile

May 12, 2019