Let f(x) be a degree 2006 polynomial with complex roots c1,c2,…,c2006, such that the set {∣c1∣,∣c2∣,…,∣c2006∣} consists of exactly 1006 distinct values. What is the minimum number of real roots of f(x) ?
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
The complex roots of the polynomial must come in pairs, ci and ci, both of which have the same absolute value. If n is the number of distinct absolute values ∣ci∣ corresponding to those of non-real roots, then there are at least 2n non-real roots of f(x). Thus f(x) can have at most 2006−2n real roots. However, it must have at least 1006−n real roots, as ∣ci∣ takes on 1006−n more values. By definition of n, these all correspond to real roots. Therefore 1006−n≤# real roots ≤2006−2n, so n≤1000, and \# real roots ≥1006−n≥6. It is easy to see that equality is attainable.
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