Difference between revisions of "2018 Putnam B Problems/Problem 2"

(Created page with "Let \( n \) be a positive integer, and let \( f_n(z) = n + (n-1)z + (n-2)z^2 + \dots + z^{n-1} \). Prove that \( f_n \) has no roots in the closed unit disk \( \{z \in \mathbb...")
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
==Problem==
 +
 
Let \( n \) be a positive integer, and let \( f_n(z) = n + (n-1)z + (n-2)z^2 + \dots + z^{n-1} \). Prove that \( f_n \) has no roots in the closed unit disk \( \{z \in \mathbb{C}: |z| \leq 1 \} \).
 
Let \( n \) be a positive integer, and let \( f_n(z) = n + (n-1)z + (n-2)z^2 + \dots + z^{n-1} \). Prove that \( f_n \) has no roots in the closed unit disk \( \{z \in \mathbb{C}: |z| \leq 1 \} \).
 +
 +
==Solution==
 +
 +
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 16:56, 18 August 2025

Problem

Let \( n \) be a positive integer, and let \( f_n(z) = n + (n-1)z + (n-2)z^2 + \dots + z^{n-1} \). Prove that \( f_n \) has no roots in the closed unit disk \( \{z \in \mathbb{C}: |z| \leq 1 \} \).

Solution

These problems are copyrighted © by the Mathematical Association of America, as part of the American Mathematics Competitions. AMC Logo.png