Complex conjugate root theorem

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In mathematics, the complex conjugate root theorem states that if P is a polynomial in one variable with real coefficients, and a + bi is a root of P with a and b real numbers, then its complex conjugate a βˆ’ bi is also a root of P.[1]

It follows from this (and the fundamental theorem of algebra), that if the degree of a real polynomial is odd, it must have at least one real root.[2] That fact can also be proved by using the intermediate value theorem.

Contents

[edit] Examples and consequences

  • The polynomial x2 + 1 = 0 has roots \pm i.
  • Any real matrix of odd degree has at least one real eigenvalue. For example, if the matrix is orthogonal, then 1 or βˆ’1 is an eigenvalue.
  • The polynomial
x^3 - 7x^2 + 41x - 87\,
has roots
3,\, 2 + 5i,\, 2 - 5i,
and thus can be factored as
(x - 3)(x - 2 - 5i)(x - 2 + 5i).\,
In computing the product of the last two factors, the imaginary parts cancel, and we get
(x - 3)(x^2 - 4x + 29).\,
The non-real factors come in pairs which when multiplied give quadratic polynomials with real coefficients. Since every polynomial with complex coefficients can be factored into 1st-degree factors (that is one way of stating the fundamental theorem of algebra), it follows that every polynomial with real coefficients can be factored into factors of degree no higher than 2: just 1st-degree and quadratic factors.

[edit] Corollary on odd-degree polynomials

It follows from the present theorem and the fundamental theorem of algebra that if the degree of a real polynomial is odd, it must have at least one real root.[2]

This can be proved as follows.

  • Since non-real complex roots come in conjugate pairs, there are an even number of them;
  • But a polynomial of odd degree has an odd number of roots;
  • Therefore some of them must be real.

This requires some care in the presence of multiple roots; but a complex root and its conjugate do have the same multiplicity (and this lemma is not hard to prove). It can also be worked around by considering only irreducible polynomials; any real polynomial of odd degree must have an irreducible factor of odd degree, which (having no multiple roots) must have a real root by the reasoning above.

This corollary can also be proved directly by using the intermediate value theorem.

[edit] Leisurely proof

One proof of the theorem is as follows:[2]

Consider the polynomial

P(z) = a_0 + a_1z + a_2z^2 + \cdots + a_nz^n

where all ar are real. The equation P(x) = 0 is thus

a_0 + a_1z + a_2z^2 + \cdots + a_nz^n = 0.\,

Given that all of the coefficients are real, we have

\overline{(a_rz^r)} = a_r\overline{z}^r.

Thus it follows that

a_0 + a_1\overline{z} + a_2\overline{z}^2 + \cdots + a_n\overline{z}^n = \overline{0} = 0,\,

and thus that for any root ΞΆ its complex conjugate \overline{\zeta} is also a root.

[edit] Quick abstract proof

Two facts about the complex conjugate mapping

z \mapsto \overline{z}\,

are

  • It is an automorphism of the field of complex numbers, of which all real numbers are fixed points;

and

  • It is an involution, i.e. the conjugate of the conjugate of z is z.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Anthony G. O'Farell and Gary McGuire (2002). "Complex numbers", Maynooth Mathematical Olympiad Manual. Logic Press, 104. ISBN 0954426908.  Preview available at Google books
  2. ^ a b c Alan Jeffrey (2005). "Analytic Functions", Complex Analysis and Applications. CRC Press, 22–23. ISBN 158488553X.