Is there a formula similar to the quadratic formula, but for solving cubics?
2006-12-02 03:17:23 · 4 answers · asked by boredandgrumpy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
yes, it is quite complicated and uses complex numbers. Generally speaking is easier to use other methods or to just try to guess....
here there is some information:
The solution to the cubic (as well as the quartic) was published by Gerolamo Cardano (1501-1576) in his treatise Ars Magna. However, Cardano was not the original discoverer of either of these results. The hint for the cubic had been provided by Niccolò Tartaglia, while the quartic had been solved by Ludovico Ferrari. However, Tartaglia himself had probably caught wind of the solution from another source. The solution was apparently first arrived at by a little-remembered professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna by the name of Scipione del Ferro (ca. 1465-1526). While del Ferro did not publish his solution, he disclosed it to his student Antonio Maria Fior (Boyer and Merzbach 1991, p. 283). This is apparently where Tartaglia learned of the solution around 1541.
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2006-12-02 03:28:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
A very good answer by polarbear.
Just for interest Galois theory can be used to prove that no such formula exists for all equations of order five or higher, although there are formulae for certain forms of the equations.
2006-12-02 07:45:49 · answer #2 · answered by tringyokel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is NO!!!
However, try (x - 1) as a factor if this divides into the cubic, without a remainder then the answer is a quadratic and can be resolved. You may have to try several ( x - ?? something) to get a non-remainder answer.
2006-12-05 07:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by lenpol7 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes but it is very complex and not worth the hassle of knowing. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_formula for details.
2006-12-02 03:20:21 · answer #4 · answered by Puggy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋