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How can I show that $z^4-2z+3$, $z \in \mathbb{C}$, has no zeros within the unit circle in the complex plane? It looks like the Rouche theorem, but i still cannot do it. Please help. Thanks in advance.

JMP
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2 Answers2

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We have $$|z^4-2z+3|\ge 3-2|z|-|z|^4.$$ Hence the equation does not admit solutions for $|z|<1.$ In the case $|z|=1$ the equality $z^4-2z=-3$ implies $z^4=-1$ and $z=1,$ which leads to a contradiction.

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A proof using Rouché's theorem.

Consider $f(z):=z^4+3$, $g(z):=−2z$.

On the disk $D_{\varepsilon}$ with center 0 and radius $1−\varepsilon$. On $\partial D_{\varepsilon}$,

$$|f(z)| \ge 2+3 \varepsilon \ \ \text{and} \ \ |g(z)| \le 2(1−\varepsilon)$$

for $\varepsilon$ sufficiently small, allowing Rouché's theorem to be applied, proving that there is no zero inside $D_{\varepsilon}$.

(thanks to Lutz Lehmann who has pointed an error of mine, now fixed).

Jean Marie
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  • Ok, yes, that bothersome to have missed the signs. Still, how, or better why, do get to $2+ε^4$? For $ε<\frac12$ one gets $...>2+ε+3ε^3>2+ε$ – Lutz Lehmann Mar 31 '22 at 18:32
  • In fact, You are right, I should have written $2+3 \varepsilon + ( \varepsilon- 6\varepsilon^2 + 4 \varepsilon^3 - \varepsilon^4) > 2+3 \varepsilon$ for $\varepsilon>0$ sufficiently small. I will correct it – Jean Marie Mar 31 '22 at 18:58