1981 AMC 12 Problem 30

Attempt Problem 30 of the 1981 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1981 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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30.

If a,a, b,b, c,c, dd are the solutions of the equation x4−bx−3=0,x^4-bx-3=0, then an equation whose solutions are a+b+cd2,a+b+dc2,a+c+db2,b+c+da2 \begin{gathered} \frac{a+b+c}{d^2},\quad \frac{a+b+d}{c^2},\\ \frac{a+c+d}{b^2},\quad \frac{b+c+d}{a^2} \end{gathered} is
3x4+bx+1=03x^4+bx+1=0
3x4−bx+1=03x^4-bx+1=0
3x4+bx3−1=03x^4+bx^3-1=0
3x4−bx3−1=03x^4-bx^3-1=0
none of these
Answer: D
Concepts:polynomialVieta’s Formulassubstitution
Small hint:
Use the missing cubic term to find a+b+c+da+b+c+d
Big hint:
Each listed expression becomes the negative reciprocal of one original root
Solution:
Vieta’s formulas give a+b+c+d=0.a+b+c+d=0. Thus, for example, a+b+cd2=−1d, \frac{a+b+c}{d^2}=-\frac1d, and similarly the new roots are −1a,-\frac{1}{a}, −1b,-\frac{1}{b}, −1c,-\frac{1}{c}, −1d.-\frac{1}{d}. Put x=−1rx=-\frac{1}{r} in r4−br−3=0.r^4-br-3=0. Multiplying by x4x^4 gives 1+bx3−3x4=0,1+bx^3-3x^4=0, or 3x4−bx3−1=0. 3x^4-bx^3-1=0.
Therefore, the correct answer is D.
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