# Finding How Many Roots $2z^4-3z^3+3z^2-z+1=0$ has in the First Quadrant

I am trying to determine how many roots $$p(z)=2z^4-3z^3+3z^2-z+1=0$$ has in the first quadrant.

My attempt:

We first note that $$p(z)$$ has real coefficients. Thus by the conjugate root theorem, the roots of $$p(z)$$ occur in complex conjugate pairs.

Next, we determine if $$p(z)$$ has roots on the axes.

Case 1: Suppose $$p(z)$$ has a root on the real axes, then $$p(x)=2x^4-3x^3+3x^2-x+1=0$$ for some $$x\in\mathbb{R}$$. Now by the rational root theorem, the only possible roots that $$p(x)$$ can have is when $$x=1$$. But $$p(1)\neq 0$$ and hence $$p(z)$$ cannot have a root on the real axes by contradiction.

Case 2: Suppose $$p(z)$$ has a root on the imaginary axes, then $$p(iy)=2y^4+3iy^3-3y^2-iy+1=0$$ for some $$y\in\mathbb{R}$$. Then, $$\Im(p(iy))=0\implies y(3y^2-1)=0.$$ But, $$p(0)\neq 0$$ and $$p\left(\pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\right)\neq 0$$. Hence $$p(z)$$ does not have a root on the imaginary axes, by contradiction.

So, the roots are $$a\pm ib$$ and $$c\pm id$$ for $$a,b,c,d\in\mathbb{R}$$ and $$a,b,c,d\neq 0$$. Now the sum of the roots equals zero, which implies $$a=-c$$. Hence, there is only one root in each quadrant.

My questions are, is my explanation of case $$1$$ and case $$2$$ correct? Also, (a very basic question) why does the sum of the roots equal zero?

Also, the sum of the roots is not $$0$$; it is $$-\dfrac{-3}2=\dfrac32$$.
• For case $1$, if I divide through by $2$ and hence made the polynomial monic, could I use the integer root theorem? I'm unsure of how it is best to show that no real roots exist (I vaguely remember a theorem concerning the factors of the constant term of a polynomial). I alternatively thought of trying to show that $p(x)\geq 0$, but this seemed too difficult. Also, I do agree that the sum of the roots is $-\frac{b}{a}=\frac{3}{2}$. But what does this tell us about the placement of the roots in the complex plane? – JulianAngussmith Oct 23 '18 at 8:20
• @user376343 Thanks. This post was helpful. I understand how the sum of the roots where calculated and the difference in the rational/integer root theorems. I still require further help in showing $p(z)$ has a single root in the first quadrant, but this will be asked in following posts. – JulianAngussmith Oct 23 '18 at 9:26