f(x)=x^4 + ax^3 - bx^2 + ax + 1
(1) Obiviously,the soltion x0 of f(x)=0 must be less than zero.
(2) My idea is that for a given x, which is less than zero, find the relationship for a and b(from f(x)<0), then find S
let x=-1, from f(x)<0, get 2a+b<2, and the area(S) of the cross section between 2a+b<2 and 0 Let x=-2 and -2/1, get the same equation 10a+4b<17, then get S=0;
Observing the equation F(x), we can have
f(x)<0 and f(1/x)<0
are the same.
(3) S(x) has a characteristc, which is
S(x) is a non-increasing fuction in (-1,0) and
S(x) is a non-decreasing fuction in (-infinity,-1),
S(-1) is the maximum, and S(-1)=1/4 is the solution.