Degree $6$ hyperbolic polynomials and orders of moduli

Abstract

We consider real univariate degree $d$ real-rooted polynomials with non-vanishing coefficients. Descartes' rule of signs implies that such a polynomial has $\tilde{c}$ positive and $\tilde{p}$ negative roots counted with multiplicity, where $\tilde{c}$ and $\tilde{p}$ are the numbers of sign changes and sign preservations in the sequence of its coefficients, $\tilde{c}+\tilde{p}=d$. For $d=6$, we give the exhaustive answer to the question: When the moduli of all $6$ roots are distinct and arranged on the real positive half-axis, in which positions can the moduli of the negative roots be depending on the signs of the coefficients?