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Littlewood Polynomial


A Littlewood polynomial is a polynomial all of whose coefficients belong to {-1,1}.

For independent uniformly distributed signs xi_j, let P_n(z)=sum_(j=0)^(n)xi_jz^j, and let N_n count its zeros in the closed unit disk, with multiplicity. Kawada (2026) reported that N_n/n->1/2 almost surely, resolving problem 522 in the Erdős problems collection. The proportion of zeros in the disk of radius 1+x/n converges almost surely, locally uniformly in real x, to

 F(x)=1/2(1+cothx-1/x),

with continuous value F(0)=1/2. Kawada (2026) reports assistance from internal MIT models with the Lean formalization, while attributing the mathematical approach to the author.


See also

Erdős Problems, Polynomial, Random Polynomial

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References

Kawada, S. "Universal Radial Laws for Random Polynomials: Erdős Problem #522 and Non-Universal Fluctuations." 8 Oct 2026. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.11324.

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Littlewood Polynomial." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/LittlewoodPolynomial.html

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