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Reading this: Simple proof that $\pi$ is irrational, I fail to understand the following part:

Since $n!f(x)$ has integral coefficients and terms in $x$ of degree not less than $n$, $f(x)$ and its derivatives (...) have integral values for $x=0$; also for $x=\pi=\frac{a}{b}$, since $f(x)=f(\frac{a}{b}-x)$

Assuming this, the rest I understand. But why is this true?

2 Answers2

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The derivatives $f^{(i)}(x)$ have constant term $0$ for $i<n$ since each term of $f(x)$ has degree at least $n$, and thus $f^{(i)}(0)=0$. For $i\ge n$, each term will have a multiplier of $i!$ in front of it, and $n!\mid i!$, so the constant term is an integer.

Alex Becker
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$n!f(x)$ is a polynomial with integer coefficients.

The derivative of a polynomial with integer coefficients is a polynomial with integer coefficents.

A polynomial with integer coefficients takes on integer values when evaluated at an integer.

Jack M
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