Problem: Let a,b,c be three real numbers such that 1≥a≥b≥c≥0. Prove that if λ is a root of the cubic equation x3+ax2+bx+c=0 (real or complex), then ∣λ∣≤1.
Solution
Solution: Since λ is a root of the equation x3+ax2+bx+c=0, we have λ3=−aλ2−bλ−c This implies that λ4=−aλ3−bλ2−cλ=(1−a)λ3+(a−b)λ2+(b−c)λ+c where we have used again −λ3−aλ2−bλ−c=0 Suppose ∣λ∣≥1. Then we obtain ∣λ∣4≤(1−a)∣λ∣3+(a−b)∣λ∣2+(b−c)∣λ∣+c≤(1−a)∣λ∣3+(a−b)∣λ∣3+(b−c)∣λ∣3+c∣λ∣3≤∣λ∣3 This shows that ∣λ∣≤1. Hence the only possibility in this case is ∣λ∣=1. We conclude that ∣λ∣≤1 is always true.
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