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On the cubic formula.

Student-Run Research Seminar

Speaker: Tyler Evans, UC Davis
Location: 693 Kerr
Start time: Wed, Feb 7 2001, 12:10PM

It is well known that polynomial equations of degree $n$ can be solved by radicals if and only if $n\le 4$. Indeed, the quadratic formula is among the algebraic tools of every high school algebra student. In this talk, we will discuss the lesser known cubic and quartic formulas as well as provide some evidence that these latter two formulas are in some sense completely useless.