Roots of cubic equation | AMC-10A, 2010 | Problem 21

The given equation is \(x^3-ax^2+bx-2010\).we have to find out the smallest possible value of \(a\).From Vieta’s Relation we know that if \(r_1,r_2,r_3\) are the roots of equation \(ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0\) then \(r_1 +r_2+r_3= -\frac{b}{a}\) and \(r_1 r_2 r_3=-\frac{d}{a}\)

can you finish the problem……..

Therefore \(a\) is the sum of the three roots of the polynomial \(x^3-ax^2+bx-2010\). and \(2010\)  is the product of the three integer roots.Now the factors of \(2010\) =\(2 \times 3 \times 5 \times 67\).there are only three roots to the polynomial so out of four roots we have to choose three roots such that two of the four prime factors must be multiplied so that we are left with three roots. To minimize \(a\), \(2\) and \(3\) should be multiplied,

can you finish the problem……..

Therefore the value of \(a\)=\(6+5+67=78\)