Polynomial Magic Trick
- Author:
- Brad Ballinger
- Topic:
- Algebra, Numbers, Polynomial Functions
Instructions
1. Pick any polynomial you like with integer coefficients.
- For now, keep it simple: use single digit coefficients, and keep the degree under 10.
2. Evaluate your polynomial at the input 23. Put your answer in the "output" box.
Did I guess your polynomial? If so, how? If not, please send your polynomial to brad@humboldt.edu.
3. Play around with different inputs besides 23.
- Can you think of two different polynomials that agree on a smaller input?
- If you violate my "keep it simple" rules above, can you find two different polynomials
that agree on input 23?