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Solving Cubic Equations

This document provides step-by-step instructions for solving cubic equations. It defines variables like f, g, and h and provides the formulas to calculate them from the coefficients of the cubic equation. Based on the values of these variables, it describes methods for determining if there are 1, 3, or all real roots and the processes for solving in each case.

Uploaded by

Radha Krishnan
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
336 views

Solving Cubic Equations

This document provides step-by-step instructions for solving cubic equations. It defines variables like f, g, and h and provides the formulas to calculate them from the coefficients of the cubic equation. Based on the values of these variables, it describes methods for determining if there are 1, 3, or all real roots and the processes for solving in each case.

Uploaded by

Radha Krishnan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

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Solving Cubic Equations

Solving Cubic Equations


Search
pow ered by

If you thought the Quadratic Formula was complicated, the


method for solving Cubic Equations is even more complex. We
will use the example from the Cubic Equation Calculator:

2x3 - 4x2 - 22x + 24 = 0


Cubic equations have to be solved in several steps. First we
define a variable 'f':

f = (3c/a) - (b/a)
3
"Plugging in" the numbers from the above equation, we get:
f = ((3 * -22/2) - (16/4)) / 3

- 12.333333...

Next we define 'g':

g = (2b/a) - (9bc/a) + (27d/a)


27
From this point on, you are expected to "plug in" the numbers:
g = 4.07407407407407....
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Then we define 'h':

h = (g/4) + (f/27)
h = -65.333333...

If h > 0, there is only 1


real root and is solved by
another method.
(SCROLL down for this
method)
For the special case
where f=0, g=0 and h =
0, all 3 roots are real and
equal.
(SCROLL to the bottom
for this method)
When h <= 0, as is the
case here, all 3 roots are
real and we proceed as
follows:

ALL 3 Roots Are Real


i = ((g/4) - h)
i = 8.33563754151978...

j = (i) 1/3
j = 2.0275875100994063...
NOTE: The following trigonometric calculations are in radians

k = arc cosine (- (g / 2i))


k = 1.817673356517739...

L = j * -1
L = -2.0275875100994...

M = cosine (K/3)
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Solving Cubic Equations

M = 0.8219949365268...

N = (Square Root of 3) * sine (K/3)


N = 0.9863939238321...

P = (b/3a) * -1
P = 0.6666666666666...

x1 = 2j * cosine(k/3) -(b/3a)
x1 = 4

x2 = L * (M + N) + P
x2 = -3

x3 = L * (M - N) + P
x3 = 1

When Only 1 Root Is Real


3x3 - 10x2 + 14x + 27 = 0
f = (3c/a) - (b/a)
3
f = .962962962962962...

g = (2b/a) - (9bc/a) + (27d/a)


27
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Solving Cubic Equations

g = 11.441700960219478...

h = (g/4) + (f /27)
h = 32.761202560585275...

R = -(g/2) + (h)
R = .002889779596782...

S = (R)1/3
S = .142436591824886...

T = -(g/2) - (h)
T = -11.4445907398163...

U = (T)1/3
U = -2.25354770293599...

X1 = (S + U) - (b/3a)
X1 = -1

X2 = -(S + U)/2 - (b/3a) + i*(S-U)*(3)/2


X2 = 2.16666666666... + i*2.07498326633146

X3 = -(S + U)/2 - (b/3a) - i*(S-U)*(3)/2


X3 = 2.16666666666... - i*2.07498326633146

When All 3 Roots Are Real and Equal


x3 + 6x2 + 12x + 8 = 0
f = (3c/a) - (b/a)
3
f = ((3*12/1)-(36/1)) / 3
f= 0

g = (2b/a) - (9bc/a) + (27d/a)


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27
g = ((2*216/1) - (9*6*12/1) + (27*8/1)) / 27
g = (432 - 648 + 216) / 27
g=0

h = (g/4) + (f/27)
h=0

x1 = x2 = x3= (d/a)1/3 * -1
x1 = x2 = x3= (8/1)1/3 * -1
x1 = x2 = x3= -2

RETURN TO CUBIC EQUATION CALCULATOR

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