Primitive polynomials with first and second coefficients prescribed. (Q1400979)

Let \(\mathbb F_q\) be a finite field with \(q\) elements and consider monic, degree \(n\) polynomials \(f=x^n+\sum_{i=1}^n f_ix^{n-i}\) over \(\mathbb F_q\). \textit{S. D. Cohen} [Discrete Math. 83, 1--7 (1990; Zbl 0711.11048)] showed for \(n > 1\) and \(a\in F_q\), there exists a primitive \(f\) with prescribed first coefficient \(f_1=a\) except for \(a=0\) when \(n=2\) or \(n=3\) and \(q=4\). \textit{W. B. Han} [Math. Comput. 65, 331--340 (1996; Zbl 0865.11081)] showed for \(q\) odd, \(n\geq 7\) and \(a,b\in \mathbb F_q\), there exists a primitive \(f\) with prescribed coefficients \(f_1=a\) and \(f_2=b\). Here, the authors show this result also holds for \(n=5\) and \(n=6\). They use Han's methods as well as sieving techniques of Cohen.