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arxiv: math/9501224 · v1 · pith:OMAKBYD5new · submitted 1995-01-01 · 🧮 math.CA

How many zeros of a random polynomial are real?

classification 🧮 math.CA
keywords realzerosrandomcurveexpectedintegralnumberpolynomial
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We provide an elementary geometric derivation of the Kac integral formula for the expected number of real zeros of a random polynomial with independent standard normally distributed coefficients. We show that the expected number of real zeros is simply the length of the moment curve $(1,t,\ldots,t^n)$ projected onto the surface of the unit sphere, divided by $\pi$. The probability density of the real zeros is proportional to how fast this curve is traced out. We then relax Kac's assumptions by considering a variety of random sums, series, and distributions, and we also illustrate such ideas as integral geometry and the Fubini-Study metric.

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