Let be a degree 2006 polynomial with complex roots , such that the set consists of exactly 1006 distinct values. What is the minimum number of real roots of ?
Solution
The complex roots of the polynomial must come in pairs, and , both of which have the same absolute value. If is the number of distinct absolute values corresponding to those of non-real roots, then there are at least non-real roots of . Thus can have at most real roots. However, it must have at least real roots, as takes on more values. By definition of , these all correspond to real roots. Therefore real roots , so , and \# real roots . It is easy to see that equality is attainable.
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