Norm bounds for Ehrhart polynomial roots (Q2482206)

The main result of the paper under review is as follows: Let \(p\) be nonzero polynomial of degree \(d\) with nonnegative coefficients when expressed with respect to the polynomial basis \(({t \atop d}), ({{t+1} \atop d}), \dots, ({{t+d} \atop d})\). Then all the roots of \(p\) lie inside the disc with center \(- {1 \over 2}\) and radius \(d ( d - {1 \over 2})\). The motivation for this result comes from Ehrhart's theory of lattice-point enumeration in polyhedra. If \(P\) is a lattice polytope, i.e., the convex hull of finitely many points in \({\mathbb Z}^d\), then the counting function \(E(t) := \# ( tP \cap {\mathbb Z}^d)\) is a polynomial in the positive integer variable \(t\). \textit{R. P. Stanley} [Ann. Discrete Math. 6, 333--342 (1980; Zbl 0812.52012)] proved that Ehrhart polynomials satisfy the condition of the above theorem, and so the theorem vastly improves a previously known bound for the roots of Ehrhart polynomials [\textit{M. Beck, J. A. De Loera, M. Develin, J. Pfeifle}, and \textit{R. P. Stanley}, Contemp. Math. 374, 15--36 (2005; Zbl 1153.52300)]. See also the review of the reprint version Twentieth anniversary volume: Discrete and computational geometry. New York, NY: Springer, 172--174 (2009; Zbl 1171.52007).