# Describe the Difference

• July 28th 2008, 04:10 AM
magentarita
Describe the Difference
In simple words, can anyone tell me what is the basic difference between Descartes' Rule of Signs and the Rational Zero Theorem? Is there a connection between the two?

Thanks

P.S. Who is Descartes anyway?
• July 28th 2008, 04:20 AM
Moo
Hello,

Quote:

P.S. Who is Descartes anyway?
:eek: ^^
René Descartes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• July 28th 2008, 04:28 AM
colby2152
Quote:

Originally Posted by magentarita
In simple words, can anyone tell me what is the basic difference between Descartes' Rule of Signs and the Rational Zero Theorem? Is there a connection between the two?

Thanks

P.S. Who is Descartes anyway?

Here is a link to the Rational Zeros Theorem. It basically gives the set of all possibilities of number that would satisfy $f(x)=0$

Descartes' Rule of Signs simply determines the number of possible solutions.

Rene Descartes was a French philosopher and mathematician who is known best for his works on the Cartesian coordinate system and his analytical geometry ideas provided the framework for Newton and Leibniz's Calculus.
• July 28th 2008, 09:15 PM
magentarita
Great...
I thank you both. I will check out the provided links when time allows.