Over the centuries, mathematicians have developed a variety of methods of solving equations. Using the capabilities of modern computers, they have explored in detail how these age-old recipes ...

Roots can occur in a parabola in 3 different ways as shown in the diagram below: In diagram A, we can see that this parabola has 2 roots, diagram B has 1 root and diagram C has no roots. What type of ...

We solve polynomials algebraically in order to determine the roots - where a curve cuts the \(x\)-axis. A root of a polynomial function, \(f(x)\), is a value for \(x\) for which \(f(x) = 0\).

If you’ve ever taken an algebra or physics class, then you’ve met a parabola, the simple curve that can model how a ball flies through the air. The most important part of a parabola is the vertex — ...

The Monthly publishes articles, as well as notes and other features, about mathematics and the profession. Its readers span a broad spectrum of mathematical interests, and include professional ...

Before being mortally wounded in a duel at age 20, Évariste Galois discovered the hidden structure of polynomial equations. By studying the relationships between their solutions — rather than the ...

Polynomial equations have long served as a cornerstone of mathematical analysis, offering a framework to understand functions, curves, and dynamic systems. In recent years, the study of these ...

The Monthly publishes articles, as well as notes and other features, about mathematics and the profession. Its readers span a broad spectrum of mathematical interests, and include professional ...

A mathematician at Carnegie Mellon University has developed an easier way to solve quadratic equations. The mathematician hopes this method will help students avoid memorizing obtuse formulas. His ...