Solution formulas for cubic equations without or with constraints (Q548598)

Lagrange has given a division-free formula for solving in complex numbers an equation of third degree. Since this formula involves the square and cubic roots of two expressions (polynomial in terms of the given equation), only three out of the 18 possible interpretations yield the sought-for solutions. The ``standard'' conventions for choosing the square and cubic roots are not always correct, as seen by means of an example given in the first section of the paper under review. An intricate way of choosing the cubic root is introduced in the second section. Then it is proved that, with this interpretation, Lagrange's formula yields the correct solutions for all cubic polynomials with real coefficients. The main result of the paper gives formulas for the real numbers \(x\) satisfying a cubic equation \(f\) with real coefficients and arbitrary logical combinations of polynomial equality and inequality relations in \(x\), the coefficients of \(f\), and other parameters.