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Let's consider the polynomial $$ f\left( x \right) = \left( {x^2 + 2} \right)\prod\limits_{i = - k}^k {\left( {x - 2i} \right) + 2 \in {\Bbb Q}\left[ x \right]} $$ . Let's suppose that $ p = 2k + 3 \geqslant 5 $ is prime.

Prove the following:

$i)$ Prove that $f$ is irreducible and of degree $p$

$ii)$ Prove that p has exactly $p-2$ real zeros. I have no idea how to prove this, maybe with einsenstein and considering the derivate, but how? :/

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    Can you prove that $f$ has degree $p$?2012-11-18

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Modulo $2$, $f(x)$ is just $x^p$; also, the constant term of $f(x)$ is 2; thus, you can apply Eisenstein with $p=2$.

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    Ok , and how can I prove that has exactly p-2 real zeros?2012-11-18
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    Maybe you can show it changes sign between $n-(1/2)$ and $n+(1/2)$ for $n=-k,\dots,k$.2012-11-18
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    Well It's easy to see the following relation, let's call the polynomial $ f_k $ so we can deduce the following $$ f_k = \left( {f_{k - 1} - 2} \right)\left( {x - 2k} \right)\left( {x + 2k} \right) + 2 $$ so derivating $ f'_k = f'_{k-1} (x-2k)(x+2k) $ so, in each step I add two more critical points, and clearly $ f'_1 = (x^2-2)(5x^2+4) $ thus $ f'_k$ has exactly $2k$ critical points2012-11-18
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    Not sure I follow your differentiation --- was expecting the Product Rule to make an appearance.2012-11-19
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    My derivate is bad2012-11-20