Question

Let P be a non zero polynomial such that P(1+x)=P(1−x) for all real x, and P(1)=0. Let m be the largest integer such that (x−1) m divides P(x) for all such P(x). Then m equals

Answer 1

m = 0, P(3)/2, P(4)/6, P(5)/12 ..........

Explanation:

For non zero polynomial, that is all real x as follows:

x = 1, 2, 3, 4 ............

Using, P(1 + x) = P(1 - x)

For x = 1: P(2) = P(0) = 1

For x = 2: P(3) = P(-1) = 2

Hence, P(x)/m(x - 1) can be solved as follows:

When = 1

P(2)/0 = 1

∴ m = 0

When x = 2

P(3)/m = 2

∴ m = P(3)/2

When x = 3

P(4)/2m = 3

∴ m = P(4)/6

When x = 4

P(5)/3m = 4

∴ m = P(5)/12

Hence, m = 0, P(3)/2, P(4)/6, P(5)/12......