Algebraic solution

Not to be confused with Algebraic number.

An algebraic solution or solution in radicals is a closed form expression, and more specifically a closed-form algebraic expression, that is the solution of an algebraic equation in terms of the coefficients, relying only on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to integer powers, and the extraction of nth roots (square roots, cube roots, and other integer roots).

The most well-known example is the solution

$x=\frac{-b \pm \sqrt {b^2-4ac\ }}{2a},$

introduced in secondary school, of the quadratic equation

$ax^2 + bx + c =0\,$

(where a ≠ 0).

There exist more complicated algebraic solutions for the general cubic equation and quartic equation. The Abel-Ruffini theorem states that the general quintic equation lacks an algebraic solution, and this directly implies that the general polynomial equation of degree n, for n ≥ 5, cannot be solved algebraically. However, under certain conditions algebraic solutions can be obtained; for example, the equation $x^{10} = a$ can be solved as $x=a^{1/10}.$

Évariste Galois introduced a criterion allowing to decide which equations are solvable in radicals. See Radical extension for the precise formulation of his result.

Algebraic solutions form a subset of closed-form expressions, because the latter permit transcendental functions (non-algebraic functions) such as the exponential function, the logarithmic function, and the trigonometric functions and their inverses.

See also

• Solvable quintics
• Solvable sextics
• Solvable septics