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Let $\mathbb R_d[t]$ be the set of univariate polynomials in the variable $t$ of degree $d$, and $S$ be the set of elements of $\mathbb R_d[t]$ that are nonnegative on $[0, 1]$. Does the following equivalent hold for a polynomial $p \in \mathbb R_d[t]$?

$$p \in S \iff \int_0^1 p(t) q(t) \ge 0 \; \forall q \in S.$$

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Here is a counter-example for $d=1$. In this simple case $S$ is just the set of linear combinations of $x$ and $1-x$ with nonnegative coefficients.

$$p(x)=3x-1$$

$$\int_0^1 p(x)x\ dx=\frac12$$

$$\int_0^1p(x)(1-x)\ dx=0$$

Then $\int_0^1pq\ge0\ \forall q\in S$, but $p\notin S$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks! does this change if we require $q$ to be of degree 2d (or some other upperbound)? $\endgroup$
    – maroxe
    Apr 2, 2018 at 6:39
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    $\begingroup$ With $q=(x-1)^2$ and $p=3x-1$, I find $\int pq=-1/12$. $\endgroup$ Apr 3, 2018 at 9:23

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