MathDB
p(x)=a(x) +b(x), squares of polynomials

Source: Tournament of Towns, Senior Ο-Level Paper, Spring 2020 , p4

June 4, 2020
algebrapolynomial

Problem Statement

We say that a nonconstant polynomial p(x)p(x) with real coefficients is split into two squares if it is represented as a(x)+b(x)a(x) +b(x) where a(x)a(x) and b(x)b(x) are squares of polynomials with real coefficients. Is there such a polynomial p(x)p(x) that it may be split into two squares: a) in exactly one way; b) in exactly two ways?
Note: two splittings that differ only in the order of summands are considered to be the same.
Sergey Markelov