Three realization problems about univariate polynomials
Abstract
We consider three realization problems about monic real univariate polynomials without vanishing coefficients. Such a polynomial defines the sign pattern , , . The numbers and of positive and negative roots of (counted with multiplicity) satisfy the Descartes' rule of signs. Problem~1 asks for which couples of the form (sign pattern , pair compatible with in the sense of Descartes' rule of signs), there exist polynomials defining these couples. Problem~2 asks for which -tuples of pairs , , , there exist polynomials such that has positive and negative roots. A -tuple determines the sign pattern , but the inverse is false. We show by an example that is the smallest value of for which there exist non-realizable tuples for which the corresponding couples are realizable. The third problem concerns polynomials with all roots real. We give a geometric interpretation of the three problems in the context of degree polynomials.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2601.10529,
title = {Three realization problems about univariate polynomials},
author = {Vladimir Petrov Kostov},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.10529},
year = {2026}
}