IMO Practice Test — Factorization

6 Questions • 15 min • Olympiad level

15:00
Question 1 of 6 medium
If (x − 2) and (x + 3) are factors of \(x^{3} + ax^{2} + bx - 30\), find a + b.
-2
0
2
4
Explanation: Let roots be 2, -3, r. Sum=2+(-3)+r=-a/1→r-1=-a→a=1-r. Product=2×(-3)×r=-6r=-30→r=5. So a=1-5=-4, b=2(-3)+2×5+(-3)×5=-6+10-15=-11. a+b=-15 not in options. Better: p(2)=8+4a+2b-30=4a+2b-22=0→4a+2b=22→2a+b=11. p(-3)=-27+9a-3b-30=9a-3b-57=0→9a-3b=57→3a-b=19. Solving: (2a+b)+(3a-b)=11+19→5a=30→a=6, then 12+b=11→b=-1. a+b=5 not in options. Something off. Check: p(2)=8+4a+2b-30=4a+2b-22=0→4a+2b=22. p(-3)=-27+9a-3b-30=9a-3b-57=0→9a-3b=57. Multiply first by3:12a+6b=66; second by2:18a-6b=114; add:30a=180→a=6, then 24+2b=22→2b=-2→b=-1. a+b=5. Option not there. If a+b=5, none match. Closest is C=2. Likely typo.