Solution of a problem of Edwards and Hellerstein (Q2497137)

Let \(f(z)\) be a meromorphic function, and let \(F(z) = z - \frac{f(z)}{f^{'}(z)}.\) Define \[ K =\{ z: \Im z >0, \text{Im\,} F(z) >0\}, \;K^{-} =\{z: \text{Im\,} z >0, \text{Im\,} F(z) <0\}. \] The author proves the following. Let \(f\) be a real meromorphic function of a finite order in the plane such that \(f\) has finitely many poles and non-real zeros. Then all components of \(K^{-}\) are bounded and the number of unbounded components of \(K\) is \(1\). This theorem gives the answer to the questions proposed by \textit{S. Edwards} and \textit{S. Hellerstein} [Complex Variables, Theory Appl. 47, No.1, 25--57 (2002; Zbl 1021.30026)]. The author considers the example \(f(z) = (100 z^2 +z+1)\exp(z^2+12).\) The function \(f^{''}(z)\) has two non-real zeros. It is a useful addition to a theorem of S. Edwards and S. Hellerstein.