[Math] How many cubic (i.e., third-degree) polynomials $f(x)$ are there such that $f(x)$ has positive integer coefficients and $f(1)=9$

combinatoricscubicspolynomials

How many cubic (i.e., third-degree) polynomials $f(x)$ are there such that $f(x)$ has positive integer coefficients and $f(1)=9$? (Note: all coefficients must be positive—coefficients are not permitted to be 0, so for example $f(x) = x^3 + 8$ is not a valid polynomial.)

I can't list all of them and I need a 1-1 correspondence, which I haven't figured out yet.

Best Answer

Hint: the number of $(a,b,c,d)\in\left(\mathbb{Z}^+\right)^4$ such that $a+b+c+d=9$ is given by the coefficient of $x^9$ in the product $(x+x^2+x^3+\ldots)^4$, i.e. by $$ [x^9]\frac{x^4}{(1-x)^4} = [x^5]\frac{1}{(1-x)^4}=[x^5]\sum_{n\geq 0}\binom{n+3}{3}x^n =\binom{5+3}{3}=\color{red}{56}.$$ See also stars and bars.