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Questions tagged [cubics]

This tag is for questions relating to cubic equations, these are polynomials with $~3^{rd}~$ power terms as the highest order terms.

43 votes
18 answers
65k views

What is an example of real application of cubic equations?

I didn't yet encounter to a case that need to be solved by cubic equations (degree three) ! May you give me some information about the branches of science or criterion deal with such nature ?
Fereydoon Shekofte's user avatar
30 votes
4 answers
1k views

Motivation of Vieta's transformation

The depressed cubic equation $y^3 +py + q = 0$ can be solved with Vieta's transformation (or Vieta's substitution) $y = z - \frac{p}{3 \cdot z}.$ This reduces the cubic equation to a quadratic ...
Martin Brandenburg's user avatar
27 votes
2 answers
3k views

Cubic formula gives the wrong result (triple checked)

I'd like to solve $ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d = 0$ using the cubic formula. I coded three versions of this formula, described in three sources: MathWorld, EqWorld, and in the book, "The Unattainable ...
PQR's user avatar
  • 302
27 votes
1 answer
23k views

Using Vieta's theorem for cubic equations to derive the cubic discriminant

Background: Vieta's Theorem for cubic equations says that if a cubic equation $x^3 + px^2 + qx + r = 0$ has three different roots $x_1, x_2, x_3$, then $$\begin{eqnarray*} -p &=& x_1 + x_2 +...
Matt Gregory's user avatar
  • 2,037
23 votes
11 answers
7k views

What equation produces this curve?

I'm working on an engineering project, and I'd like to be able to input an equation into my CAD software, rather than drawing a spline. The spline is pretty simple - a gentle curve which begins and ...
Giffyguy's user avatar
  • 649
22 votes
6 answers
13k views

Can $x^3+3x^2+1=0$ be solved using high school methods?

I encountered the following problem in a high-school math text, which I wasn't able to solve using factorization/factor theorem: Solve $x^3+3x^2+1=0$ Am I missing something here, or is indeed a more ...
yroc's user avatar
  • 1,105
22 votes
7 answers
3k views

Integer solutions to $x^3=y^3+2y+1$?

Find all integral pairs $(x,y)$ satisfying $$ x^3=y^3+2y+1.$$ My approach: I tried to factorize $x^3-y^3$ as $$(x-y)(x^2 + xy + y^2)=2y+1,$$ but I know this is completely helpless. Please help me in ...
Identicon's user avatar
  • 835
21 votes
6 answers
3k views

Solving $ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0$ using a substitution different from Vieta's?

We all know, a general cubic equation is of the form $$ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0$$ where $$a\neq0.$$ It can be easily solved with the following simple substitutions: $$x\longmapsto x-\frac{b}{3a}$$ We ...
Learner's user avatar
  • 745
18 votes
4 answers
612 views

Why should it be $\sqrt[3]{6+x}=x$?

Find all the real solutions to: $$x^3-\sqrt[3]{6+\sqrt[3]{x+6}}=6$$ Can you confirm the following solution? I don't understand line 3. Why should it be $\sqrt[3]{6+x}=x$? Thank you. $$ \begin{...
user avatar
17 votes
3 answers
1k views

How would you find the exact roots of $y=x^3+x^2-2x-1$?

My friend asked me what the roots of $y=x^3+x^2-2x-1$ was. I didn't really know and when I graphed it, it had no integer solutions. So I asked him what the answer was, and he said that the $3$ roots ...
Frank's user avatar
  • 6,014
15 votes
15 answers
7k views

Counting the Number of Real Roots of $y^{3}-3y+1$

Here's my question: How many real roots does the cubic equation $y^3-3y +1$ have? I graphed the function and it crossed the x-axis $3$ times. But my professor doesn't want a graphical explanation. ...
John W. Smith's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
2k views

Question Regarding Cardano's Formula

In Cardano's derivation of a root of the cubic polynomial $f(X)=X^3+bX+c$ he splits the variable $X$ into two variables $u$ and $v$ together with the relationship that $u+v=X$. From this he finds that ...
Holdsworth88's user avatar
  • 8,868
15 votes
7 answers
3k views

Sum of cube roots of complex conjugates

When solving the following cubic equation: $$x^3 - 15x - 4 = 0$$ I got one of the solutions: $$x = \sqrt[3]{2 {\color{red}+} 11i} + \sqrt[3]{2 {\color{red}-} 11i}$$ When I calculated it with a ...
BarbaraKwarc's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
354 views

Does the limit of the cubic formula approach the quadratic one as the cubic coefficient goes to $0$?

The formula for solving a cubic equation of the form $ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0$ does not seem to yield the quadratic formula for the limit $\lim _{a \rightarrow 0} \text{(cubic formula)}$. But, if one tries ...
Joel's user avatar
  • 297
14 votes
1 answer
2k views

Expressing the roots of a cubic as polynomials in one root

All roots of $8x^3-6x+1$ are real. (*) The discriminant of $8x^3-6x+1$ is $5184=72^2$ and so the splitting field of $8x^3-6x+1$ has degree $3$. Therefore, all three roots can be expressed as ...
lhf's user avatar
  • 218k

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