Find all polynomials $p(x)$ such that: $xp(x-1) = (x-30)p(x)$

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Find all polynomials $p(x)$ such that:

$$xp(x-1) = (x-30)p(x)$$

My solution:

We can see, if $x = 0$ then
$p(0) = -0/29 = 0$
similarly, $p(29) = 0$
so our polynomial is $x(x-29)$.

I'd thought this was a simple question, but apparently the answer is:

$ax(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)\cdots(x-29)$, where a is any real number.

I have no idea how this is the answer

Best Answer

Your approach is almost correct. You are at half way.

You got $P(0)=P(29)=0$. Now consider, $P(1)$. From $$x\cdot P(x-1)=(x-30)P(x),$$ we have when $x=1$, $$1\cdot P(0)=(-29)P(1).$$ $$\implies P(1)=0.$$ Similarly, considering $x=2, 3, \ldots, 29$, you will get $P(2)=P(3)=\cdots=P(29)=0$. Hence your result follows.