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Polynomial with root $α = sqrt{2}+sqrt{5}$ and using it to simplify $α^6$

Mathematics Asked on February 14, 2021

Find a polynomial $space P(X) in mathbb{Q}[X]space$ of degree 4 such that

$$alpha = sqrt{2} + sqrt{5}$$

Is a root of $P$.

Using this polynomial, find numbers $space a, b, c, d space$ such that

$$alpha^{6} = a + balpha + calpha^{2} + dalpha^{3}$$

What have I tried so far?

I know obviously that for $alpha$ to be a root of $P$, then $(x-alpha)$ must be part of the polynomial. Hence, $(x-sqrt{2} – sqrt{5})$ will be a factor of the polynomial. Where I’m getting stuck is what to do next in order to find the other factors of the polynomial such that I get values $a, b, c$ and $d$ that satisfy the equation with $alpha^{6}$.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

4 Answers

We can use the following identity. $$(a+b+c)prod_{cyc}(a+b-c)=sum_{cyc}(2a^2b^2-a^4).$$ We obtain: $$2alpha^2cdot2+2alpha^2cdot5+2cdot2cdot5-alpha^4-2^2-5^2=0$$ or $$alpha^4-14alpha^2+9=0.$$ From here $$alpha^6=14alpha^4-9alpha^2=14(14alpha^2-9)-9alpha^2=187alpha^2-126,$$ which gives $$(a,b,c,d)=(-126,0,187,0).$$

Correct answer by Michael Rozenberg on February 14, 2021

We have $$left( x-sqrt{3}-sqrt{2}right) , left( x-sqrt{3}+sqrt{2}right) , left( x+sqrt{3}-sqrt{2}right) , left( x+sqrt{3}+sqrt{2}right) ={{x}^{4}}-10 {{x}^{2}}+1 tag{1}$$ and further $$ x^6=({{x}^{2}}+10)({{x}^{4}}-10 {{x}^{2}}+1)+(99 {{x}^{2}}-10)$$ So $$alpha^6=99 alpha^2-10$$ Instead of guessing $(1)$ you can find a polynomial of degree 4 by using the method described here by @HagenvonEitzen.

Answered by miracle173 on February 14, 2021

I think you're looking at this from the wrong perspective. Some basic Galois Theory will tell you what the other roots of the polynomial are (hint: consider how it's constructed. Whenever we conduct a squaring operation, we 'spawn' another solution corresponding to the negative of whatever quantity is being squared). But those other roots aren't actually relevant to solving the question of how to write $alpha^6$.

Instead, consider doing some 'modular' algebra: you know that $alpha^4=14alpha^2-9$ (as other answers have showed). You can use this to 'reduce' any term of size $alpha^4$ or larger in a polynomial expression to a term that's of smaller degree. For instance, by multiplying by $alpha$ we see that $alpha^5=14alpha^3-9alpha$. Now, multiply both sides of this by $alpha$; can you see a spot to use the relation again?

Answered by Steven Stadnicki on February 14, 2021

Hint

$a^2=(sqrt{2}+sqrt{5})^2=2+5+2sqrt{10}=7+2sqrt{10}Rightarrow a^2-7=2sqrt{10} Rightarrow (a^2-7)^2=40$

Edit

$(a^2-7)^2=40 Rightarrow a^4-14a^2+49=40 Rightarrow a^4-14a^2+9=0$

Answered by 1123581321 on February 14, 2021

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