ERIC Number: EJ1163224
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1051-1970
EISSN: N/A
Explorations of the Gauss-Lucas Theorem
Brilleslyper, Michael A.; Schaubroeck, Beth
PRIMUS, v27 n8-9 p766-777 2017
The Gauss-Lucas Theorem is a classical complex analysis result that states the critical points of a single-variable complex polynomial lie inside the closed convex hull of the zeros of the polynomial. Although the result is well-known, it is not typically presented in a first course in complex analysis. The ease with which modern technology allows the plotting of zeros and critical points makes the result discoverable by students. We propose a visual investigation, followed by a series of exercises leading to different complete proofs of the theorem.
Descriptors: Graphs, Physics, Geometry, Mathematics Instruction, Teaching Methods, Undergraduate Students
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A