An analysis of the solution set to a homotopy equation between polynomials with real coefficients

We investigate the structure of the solution setS to a homotopy equationH(Z,t)=0 between two polynomialsF andG with real coefficients in one complex variableZ. The mapH is represented asH(x+iy, t)=h ₁(x, y, t)+ih ₂(x, y, t), whereh ₁ andh ₂ are polynomials from ℝ² × 0,1] into ℝ and i is the imaginary unit. Since all the coefficients ofF andG are real, there is a polynomialh ₃ such thath ₂(x, y, t)=yh₃(x, y, t). Then the solution setS is divided into two sets {(x, t)∶h ₁(x, 0, t)=0} and {(x+iy, t)∶h ₁(x, y, t)=0,h ₃(x, y, t)=0}. Using this division, we make the structure ofS clear. Finally we briefly explain the structure of the solution set to a homotopy equation between polynomial systems with real coefficients in several variables.