Routh–Hurwitz theorem

In mathematics, the Routh–Hurwitz theorem gives a test to determine whether all roots of a given polynomial lie in the left-half complex plane. Polynomials with this property are called Hurwitz stable polynomials. The Routh–Hurwitz theorem is important in dynamical systems and control theory, because the characteristic polynomial of the differential equations of a stable, linear system has roots limited to the left half plane (negative eigenvalues). Thus the theorem provides a mathematical test, the Routh–Hurwitz stability criterion, to determine whether a linear dynamical system is stable without solving the system. The Routh–Hurwitz theorem was proved in 1895, and it was named after Edward John Routh and Adolf Hurwitz.