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Mathematics

Galois Theory: Solving Polynomials by Radicals

Quick fact

While quadratic, cubic, and quartic equations all have general radical formulas, there is no such formula for general polynomials of degree 5 or higher—a result proven by Galois and Abel.

Why this is interesting

You've used the quadratic formula, but what if there were no formula for higher-degree equations? Some polynomials simply cannot be solved by radicals—and Galois theory explains why.