MathDB
2023 Fall Theme p4A

Source:

December 23, 2023
2023FAlLthemealg

Problem Statement

Let Revolution(x)=x3+Ux2+Sx+A(x) = x^3 +Ux^2 +Sx + A, where UU, SS, and AA are all integers and U+S+A+1=1773U +S + A +1 = 1773. Given that Revolution has exactly two distinct nonzero integer roots GG and BB, find the minimum value of GB|GB|.
Proposed by Jacob Xu
Solution. 392\boxed{392} Notice that U+S+A+1U + S + A + 1 is just Revolution(1)(1) so Revolution(1)=1773(1) = 1773. Since GG and BB are integer roots we write Revolution(X)=(XG)2(XB)(X) = (X-G)^2(X-B) without loss of generality. So Revolution(1)=(1G)2(1B)=1773(1) = (1-G)^2(1-B) = 1773. 17731773 can be factored as 3219732 \cdot 197, so to minimize GB|GB| we set 1G=31-G = 3 and 1B=1971-B = 197. We get that G=2G = -2 and B=196B = -196 so GB=392|GB| = \boxed{392}.