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Mathematicians Unveil New Method to Solve Quintic and Higher Polynomials

Norman Wildberger and Dean Rubine challenge a 200-year-old algebraic barrier with a combinatorial power-series approach, published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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New algebra method is just the beginning, say scientists behind it
University of New South Wales Honorary Professor Norman Wildberger

Overview

  • The new method, introduced in *The American Mathematical Monthly*, employs a combinatorial power-series framework to solve higher-degree polynomial equations.
  • The approach avoids radicals and irrational numbers, relying instead on logical constructions like the Geode, a multi-dimensional extension of Catalan numbers.
  • This breakthrough provides exact-style solutions for quintic equations, long thought unsolvable by general formulas since Évariste Galois' 1832 proof.
  • The method was validated with successful tests, including a historic cubic equation used by 17th-century mathematician John Wallis.
  • Researchers suggest potential applications in computational algorithms, offering purely algebraic alternatives to approximate numerical methods.