# Math Help - Proving Polynomials Take On Composite Values

1. ## Proving Polynomials Take On Composite Values

Hello all,

Let f(x)=ax^2 + bx + c be a non-constant polynomial, and assume that a, b, and c are integers.
Prove that there are infinitely many integers n such that f(n) is compsite.

As a hint to the prove, the author noted "Show that there is an integer d such that f(d) has absolute value greater than 1. Let D=f(d), and then show that D divides f(Dj+d) for every integer j."

Any help would be appreciated!

2. We can just follow the hint. You should be able to show that $f$ attains a value whose absolute value is more than 1. (It's a little bit of a trivial matter.) Now, let that value be $D=f(d)$. We will shift and stretch the polynomial by considering $f(Dj+d)=a(Dj+d)^2+b(Dj+d)+c$. What if we expand this? We have $f(Dj+d)=aDj^2+2adDj+bDj+(ad^2+bd+c)$. This is exactly $aDj^2+2adDj+bDj+f(d)=aDj^2+2adDj+bDj+D$. We can see that $D$ divides this.

3. roninpro, I would specifically like to examine the case of x=0, and x=-1 where a,b=1, c=0.
f(0)=1(0^2)+1(0) = 0, so |f(0)|!=1.
f(-1)=(1)(-1^2)+1(-1) = 0, so |f(-1) |!=1.
It is only for values |k|>1 does |f(k)|=y where y>=1.

So how do we make these series of statements knowing this (when there are exceptions of 0 and -1 under these conditions)?

4. Actually, every number (except 0) divides 0, so the cases you mentioned are not exceptions.

If you put $a=1, b=1, c=0$, then almost every output of your polynomial is automatically composite. Write $f(x)=x^2+x=x(x+1)$. We have already (nontrivially) factored the output, for $|x|\geq 2$.

Do you want to pick other coefficients?

5. I guess what I don't understand is that f(0) and f(-1) yield zero, but the statement says:

Show that there is an integer d such that f(d) has absolute value greater than 1.

How is this true if when d=0,-1 that statement is false?

6. You need to show only that there exists an integer. Just pick $d = 2$, and then $f(d)=f(2)=5$.

7. I understand that there exists AN integer k, but |k|>1. This isn't true for all integers. The statement says:
Prove that there are infinitely many integers n such that f(n) is compsite.

So when it says infinitely many, does that imply ALL integers or just an infinite set that has those exclusions?

8. It just means an infinite set. It definitely isn't true if you try to do it for all integers.

9. Okay, so can you explain to me why we say D=f(d) and then we do f(Dj+d) ? How would one know to do such a thing? I mean, what are we getting out of that and how is that the way we would go about stating that there are infinitely many integers n such that f(n) is compsite ?

10. Originally Posted by 1337h4x
Okay, so can you explain to me why we say D=f(d) and then we do f(Dj+d) ? How would one know to do such a thing? I mean, what are we getting out of that and how is that the way we would go about stating that there are infinitely many integers n such that f(n) is compsite ?
It's not even so complicated... Just look at $f(c), f(2c), f(3c),\dots$. Each of those is divisible by $c$.

11. Originally Posted by Bruno J.
It's not even so complicated... Just look at $f(c), f(2c), f(3c),\dots$. Each of those is divisible by $c$.
Yes, but I'm talking about f(Dj+d). For example, how would one think to do this, especially if you do things like (3*2+4) is not divisible by 3.

Once again, my question remains:

Why do we say D=f(d) and then we do f(Dj+d) ? How would one know to do such a thing? I mean, what are we getting out of that and how is that the way we would go about stating that there are infinitely many integers n such that f(n) is compsite ?