Cubic equation

In mathematics, a cubic equation is a polynomial equation in which the highest occurring power of the unknown is the third power. An example is the equation

Related Topics:
Mathematics - Polynomial

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:2x3 − 4x2 + 3x − 4 = 0

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and the general form may be written as:

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:α3x3 + α2x2 + α1x + α0 = 0.

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Usually, the coefficients α0, ..., α3 are real numbers. However, most of the theory is also valid if they belong to a field of characteristic other than two or three. We will always assume that α3 is non-zero (otherwise it is a quadratic equation).

Related Topics:
Field - Characteristic - Quadratic equation

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Solving a cubic equation amounts to finding the roots of a cubic function.

Related Topics:
Root - Cubic function

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(This article discusses cubic equations in one variable. For a discussion of cubic equations in two variables, see elliptic curve.)

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