Determine the number of positive real roots and imaginary roots for equation 3 x7 + 2 x5 + 4 x3 + 11x - 12 = 0.
1, 6
Solution: If f(x) = 3 x7 + 2 x5 + 4 x3 + 11x - 12 = 0
+ + + + -
It has only one sign change.
f(x) = 0 has exactly one +ve roots
f(-x) = -3 x7 - 2 x5 - 4 x3 - 11x - 12 = 0
- - - - -
There is no change of sign in f(-x). So, number of negative real roots = 0
Also, f(0) = - 12≠ 0, 0 is not the root of the f(x) = 0
f(x) has only one real root which is positive
Number of imaginary roots
= Total number of roots - Total no. of real roots
= 7 - 1 = 6