Sturm's Theorem: determining the number of zeroes of polynomials in an open interval. Bachelor's thesis Eric Spreen University of Groningen
[email protected] July 12, 2014 Supervisors: Prof. Dr. J. Top University of Groningen Dr. R. Dyer University of Groningen Abstract A review of the theory of polynomial rings and extension fields is presented, followed by an introduction on ordered, formally real, and real closed fields. This theory is then used to prove Sturm's Theorem, a classical result that enables one to find the number of roots of a polynomial that are contained within an open interval, simply by counting the number of sign changes in two sequences. This result can be extended to decide the existence of a root of a family of polynomials, by evaluating a set of polynomial equations, inequations and inequalities with integer coefficients. Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Polynomials and Extensions 4 2.1 Polynomial rings . .4 2.2 Degree arithmetic . .6 2.3 Euclidean division algorithm . .6 2.3.1 Polynomial factors . .8 2.4 Field extensions . .9 2.4.1 Simple Field Extensions . 10 2.4.2 Dimensionality of an Extension . 12 2.4.3 Splitting Fields . 13 2.4.4 Galois Theory . 15 3 Real Closed Fields 17 3.1 Ordered and Formally Real Fields . 17 3.2 Real Closed Fields . 22 3.3 The Intermediate Value Theorem . 26 4 Sturm's Theorem 27 4.1 Variations in sign . 27 4.2 Systems of equations, inequations and inequalities . 32 4.3 Sturm's Theorem Parametrized . 33 4.3.1 Tarski's Principle .