DESCARTE'S THEOREM

#Descartes

●Descartes rule tell us how to find the maximum number of positive roots in any equation . The
maximum number of positive roots in f(x) is equal to change of signs from positivee to negative
and from negative to postive.

●With the help of this we can also find out the maximum number of real roots. To find out
negative roots, we apply same procedure with f(-x)

1) How many possible real roots of x^2 + x -2 =0 at max ?

oa : 2

positive and negative one each

so at max 2 real roots possible.

positive is done by checking f(x) sign changes, : there is one

negagtive : f(-x) = x^2 -x-2, again one signe change

hence 1+1=2

2) How many real solutions of x^4 + x^2 + 1 = 0 ?

Oa : 0

If all the terms of an equation are positive and it does not involve any odd powers of x then this
equation will have no real roots.

3) Use Descartes' Rule of Signs to determine the possible number of solutions to the equation
2x^4 – x^3 + 4x^2 – 5x + 3 = 0.

There are four sign changes, so there are 4, 2, or 0 positive roots. Now I look at f (–x): there is
no sign change so 0 negative roots.

2x^4-x^3+4x^2-5x+3=0
+-+-+=>4 sign change so either 4 or 2 or 0 +ve roots

F(-x)=2x^4+x^3+4x^2+5x+3
+++++ no sign change so no -ve roots
So possible soln r
4 +ve Roots
Or 2 +ve and 2 complex roots
Or 4 complex roots

But max possible is 4.

Remember the keyword "maximum' . It doesnt give exact root.

4) Use Descartes' Rule of Signs to find the number of real roots of

f (x) = x^5 + x^4 + 4x^3 + 3x^2 + x + 1.

5 is the maximum number of roots possible.

Answer is 5,3,1 are the possible roots

Till now it was boring So now lets play with Descartes, which is not found in books :P follow this
post !!

I think every one knows that complex roots occur in pairs right ?

■ One of the past Cat question was similar to this

Q) How many real roots of x^7 -3x^6 + 4x^5 -4x^4+x^2 + 1 = 0.

1) 2
2) 4
3) 5
4) 6

Go by options . It must be odd.

In cat you never have to solve any polynomial of higher degree than a quadratic.

Q) How many triangles with integer sides are possible if perimeter = 59 ?

Oa: 80 [62*62/48]