# A probably new conjecture on real trigonometric polynomials

This conjecture is false. A nice counter example is given by David Speyer in the comments.

Yesterday I imagined up a nice little conjecture on real trigonometric polynomials. Much to my surprise, I couldn't find any such thing on googling the net. I don't know what are the implications or importance (if any) of this conjecture, if it were correct. I'd like to know whether the conjecture is true, and also a proof. In case its already treated in the literature, please give a pointer to a source.

Conjecture

Let $f_N(x)$ be a real trigonometric polynomial of degree $N$. Let $$P = \{x_p|x_p \in (0,2\pi) \land (f^'_N(x_p) = 0 \lor f^''_N(x_p) = 0)\}$$ Let $$B = \{(x_i,x_j)| x_i,x_j\in P \wedge x_i\ne x_j\}$$ Then $$\min\limits_{(x_i,x_j)\in B} |x_i-x_j| \ge \frac{\pi}{2N}$$

Note : $f^'_N(x)$,$f^''_N(x)$ are respectively, the first and second derivatives of $f_N(x)$

PS : Please let me know if you find this theorem interesting or useful in any part of Mathematics.

EDIT 1 : Adding a short summary of the statement in words as requested by Chris Taylor to avoid any possible confusion to the reader while parsing the symbols.

Let $P$ be the set of all points where either the first derivative or second derivative of a given real trigonometric polynomial of degree $N$ vanish. The conjecture is that the shortest of the distances between any two distinct points in $P$ is at least $\frac{\pi}{2N}$. I hope this summary in words is accurate. If not please let me know the mistakes.

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One does not call it a theorem unless it had been proved. –  Sasha May 23 '12 at 11:39
@Sasha : theorem changed to conjecture. –  Rajesh D May 23 '12 at 11:48
Am I confused? This seems very false. Consider $(4 - \epsilon) \cos \theta - \cos (2 \theta)$. This is a trig. polynomial of degree $2$ with critical points at $0$, $\pi$ and $\pm \cos^{-1} (1-\epsilon/4)$. By choosing $\epsilon$ sufficiently small (and positive) I can make the three critical points near $0$ as close as I want. –  David Speyer May 23 '12 at 13:31
@David Speyer : Thank you very much for your nice counter example. I am really sorry for the goof up and for wasting your time. I'd like to delete this question after a while with your permission. –  Rajesh D May 24 '12 at 2:09
@David: if Rajesh decides to not delete his question, you may want to post that comment as an answer. –  Willie Wong May 24 '12 at 9:03
The degree $2$ trignometric polynomial $(4-\epsilon) \cos \theta - \cos (2 \theta)$ is a counter-example. It has critical points at $0$, $\pi$ and $\pm \cos^{-1} (1-\epsilon/4)$; by choosing $\epsilon$ small enough, I can make the zeroes near $0$ as close as I like.
Found by thinking first "there is usually no obstacle making roots of a polynomial close together" and then by thinking "well, where are the roots of $\frac{d}{d \theta} (a \cos (2 \theta) + b \cos (\theta))$?"