Eisenstein and the quintic equation (Q912832)

In 1844, G. Eisenstein (1823-1852) reviewed the role of the square root and cube root functions in the solution of polynomial equations up to the fourth degree, and showed that quintic equations could be handled with access to the function \(\chi\) (\(\lambda)\) determined by \(\chi (\lambda)^ 5+\chi (\lambda)=\lambda\) as well. After discussing its historical context, the author provides a technical analysis of Eisenstein's work using Riemann function theory and Fuchsian differential equations.