MathDB
fourth degree polynomail, 4 variable polynomial!

Source: Iran 2nd round 2012-Day2-P5

May 1, 2012
algebrapolynomialVietacomplex numbersalgebra proposed

Problem Statement

Consider the second degree polynomial x2+ax+bx^2+ax+b with real coefficients. We know that the necessary and sufficient condition for this polynomial to have roots in real numbers is that its discriminant, a24ba^2-4b be greater than or equal to zero. Note that the discriminant is also a polynomial with variables aa and bb. Prove that the same story is not true for polynomials of degree 44: Prove that there does not exist a 44 variable polynomial P(a,b,c,d)P(a,b,c,d) such that:
The fourth degree polynomial x4+ax3+bx2+cx+dx^4+ax^3+bx^2+cx+d can be written as the product of four 11st degree polynomials if and only if P(a,b,c,d)0P(a,b,c,d)\ge 0. (All the coefficients are real numbers.)
Proposed by Sahand Seifnashri