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Terry Tao
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Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$$\sin k \theta = -\frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$$$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = -\frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = -\frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = -\frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

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Michael Hardy
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Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$$$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$$$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \left. \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) \right/ \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

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Terry Tao
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Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \theta}$$\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \theta}$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

Since $U_n + t U_{n-1}$ is of degree $n$ and $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ is of degree $n-1$ with leading coefficient $2^{n-1}$, the resultant factors as $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} \prod_{j=1}^{n-1} (U_n(x_j) + t U_{n-1}(x_j))$$ where $x_1,\dots,x_{n-1}$ are the zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$.

Fortunately, these zeroes can be located explicitly using the usual trigonometric addition and subtraction identities. Telescoping the trig identity $\sin k \theta = \frac{\cos\left(k+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta - \cos\left(k-\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta}{2 \sin \frac{\theta}{2} }$ we conclude that $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k(\cos \theta) = \frac{\cos\left(\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right) \theta\right) - \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right)}{2 \sin \theta \sin \frac{\theta}{2}} = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{n}{2} \theta\right) \sin\left(\frac{n+1}{2} \theta\right)}{2 \cos \frac{\theta}{2} \sin^2 \frac{\theta}{2}}$$ and so the $n-1 = \lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor + \lfloor \frac{n-1}{2} \rfloor$ zeroes of $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} U_k$ take the form $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ for $1 \leq j < (n+1)/2$ and $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ for $1 \leq j < n/2$.

Since the first class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} )$ of zeroes are also zeroes of $U_n$, and the second class $\cos( \frac{2\pi j}{n} )$ are zeroes of $U_{n-1}$, the resultant therefore simplifies to $$ 2^{n(n-1)} (-1)^{n(n-1)} t^{\lfloor \frac{n}{2} \rfloor} \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n+1}{2}} U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) \prod_{1 \leq j < \frac{n}{2}} U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right).$$ But $$ U_{n-1}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n+1} \right) \right) = \sin\left(n\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n+1}\right) = -1$$ and similarly $$ U_{n}\left( \cos\left( \frac{2\pi j}{n} \right) \right) = \sin\left((n+1)\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) / \sin\left(\frac{2\pi j}{n}\right) = +1$$ and the claim then follows after counting up the signs.

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Terry Tao
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