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Find all polynomials $p(x)$ such that $p(q(x)) = q(p(x))$ for every polynomial $q(x)$.

Thanks

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    Yes,I have.I have made as far as the answers were given.But wasnt able to proof if more than the solutions i have provided exist!2012-10-16

1 Answers 1

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HINT: Consider what happens if $q(x)$ is a constant polynomial, say $q(x)=a$: $$p(a)=p\big(q(x)\big)=q\big(p(x)\big)=a\;.$$

But there’s a constant polynomial for every $a\in\Bbb R$, so ... ?

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    Yes i got the constant part.But how do we prove if there is a polynomial of some degree greater than 1? How do i see upto what degree it can go, inturn analyze for more solutions.2012-10-16
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    @Sai: What I did in the hint tells you exactly what polynomial $p(x)$ **has** to be, because it tells you the value of $p(x)$ at every real number.2012-10-16
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    Oh! Thanks sir.I missed that part.My bad2012-10-16
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    @Sai: You’re welcome.2012-10-16