November 13–November 19, 2007

Problem

Show that for all natural numbers k, the function

f(x) = x4k - x2k+1 + x2k - x + 1

is positive for all real numbers x.

Solution

here.

List of solvers

Aaron Dilley (undergraduate); Field Cady, Dustin Moody, Jacob Lewis, Gary Raymond (graduate); Rich Bauer (alum)

Aaron Dilley wins the prize!