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Difference between revisions of "Complex conjugate root theorem"
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The '''complex conjugate root theorem''' states that if <math>P(x)</math> is a [[polynomial]] with [[real number | real coefficients]], then a [[complex number]] is a root of <math>P(x)</math> if and only if its [[complex conjugate]] is also a root.
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In [[algebra]], the '''complex conjugate root theorem''' states that if <math>P(x)</math> is a [[polynomial]] with [[real number | real coefficients]], then a [[complex number]] is a root of <math>P(x)</math> if and only if its [[complex conjugate]] is also a root.
  
 
A common intermediate step is to present a complex root of a real polynomial without its conjugate. It is then up to the solver to recognize that its conjugate is also a root.
 
A common intermediate step is to present a complex root of a real polynomial without its conjugate. It is then up to the solver to recognize that its conjugate is also a root.

Revision as of 14:16, 27 August 2021

In algebra, the complex conjugate root theorem states that if $P(x)$ is a polynomial with real coefficients, then a complex number is a root of $P(x)$ if and only if its complex conjugate is also a root.

A common intermediate step is to present a complex root of a real polynomial without its conjugate. It is then up to the solver to recognize that its conjugate is also a root.

Proof

Let $P(x)$ have the form $a_n x^n + a_{n-1} x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 x + a_0$, where constants $a_n, a_{n-1}, \ldots, a_1, a_0$ are real numbers, and let $z$ be a complex root of $P(x)$. We then wish to show that $\overline{z}$, the complex conjugate of $z$, is also a root of $P(x)$. Because $z$ is a root of $P(x)$, \[P(z) = a_n z^n + a_{n-1} z^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 z + a_0 = 0.\] Then by the properties of complex conjugation, \begin{align*} \overline{a_n z^n + a_{n-1} z^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 z + a_0} = \overline{0} \\ \overline{a_n z^n} + \overline{a_{n-1} z^{n-1}} + \cdots + \overline{a_1 z} + \overline{a_0} = 0 \\ a_n \overline{z^n} + a_{n-1} \overline{z^{n-1}} + \cdots + a_1 \overline{z} + a_0 = 0 \\ a_n \overline{z}^n + a_{n-1} \overline{z}^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1 \overline{z} + a_0 = 0 \\ P(\overline{z}) = 0, \end{align*} which entails that $\overline{z}$ is a root of $P(x)$, as required. $\square$

See also

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