|  Real and Complex Algebra | 
In General
  * Idea: The branch of
    mathematics that studies number systems and operations within them.
Linear Algebra > s.a. matrices.
  @ References: Gel'fand 89;
    Robinson 91
    [+ 92 solutions to exercises];
    Hsiung & Mao 98;
    Golan 04 [II/III];
    Goodaire 13.
Algebraic Equations
  > s.a. functions [polynomials]; history
  of mathematics [the cubic and the Great Feud]; inequalities.
  $ Fundamental theorem:
    The n-th order polynomial Q(z) = a0
    + a1 z +
    ... + an zn has
    exactly n roots in the complex plane; Can be proved as a consequence of Cauchy's theorem;
    Since Q(z) has no poles,
\[ {1\over2\pi{\rm i}} \oint {Q'(z)\over Q(z)}\,{\rm d}z = {\rm number\ of\ zeroes\ of}\ Q\;,\]
    and this is a continuous function of n of the coefficients of Q,
    e.g., (a0, a1,
    ..., an−1). Thus...
  * Results: Formulae for
    third and fourth degree have been long known; In general, the roots of the equation
    xn + a1
    xn−1
    + ... + an = 0 satisfy the equalities
    ∑i xi
    = −a1,
    ∑i ≠ j
    xi xj
    = a2, ..., ∏i
    xi
    = (−1)n an,
    known as Viète formulas.
  * Abel's theorem: No formula can be
    found to express the roots of a general equation of degree n > 4 in terms
    of arithmetic operations and radicals involving its coefficients (Ruffini; Abel;
    Galois used group theory – in fact his efforts with the quintic gave rise
    to the field).
  * However: For the quintic, Hermite,
    Kronecker and Brioschi (XIX century) independently found solutions in terms of
    elliptic modular functions; Klein discovered a solution in terms of hypergeometric
    functions.
  * Quadratic: The roots of the polynomial
    P(x) = ax2 + bx
    + c are given by
\[ x = {-b\pm\sqrt{\vphantom{\sqrt2}b^2-4ac}\over2a}\;.\]
* Cubic: Consider the equation x3 + ax2 + bx + c = 0; Setting x = y − a/3, it becomes y3 + py + q = 0, with p = −a3/3 and q = 2a3/27 − ab/3 + c; This is simpler to solve (the solution was found in the XVI century), and gives
y = −q/2 + (q2/4 + p3/27)1/2]1/3 + [−q/2 − (q2/4 + p3/27)1/2]1/3,
    where the values of the cubic roots are chosen so that their product
    is −p/3 (there are 3 possibilities!).
  * Quartic: The solutions of
    x4
    + a1x3
    + a2x2
    + a3x
    + a4 = 0 are the four roots of
z2 + \(1\over2\)[a1 ± (a12 − 4a2 + 4y1)1/2] z + \(1\over2\)[y1 \(\mp\) (y12 − 4a4)1/2] = 0 ,
    where y1 is
    the real solution of y3
    − a2 y2
    + (a1a3
    − 4a4) y
    + (4a2a4
    − a32
    − a12a4)
    = 0.
  * Modular: An algebraic
    equation relating f(x) and f(x2)
    or f(x3),
    ...; Solutions are called modular functions; Example: f(x)
    = 2 [f(x2)]1/2 /
    [1+f(x2)] (second-order); & Ramanujan.
  @ General references:
    Tignol 01 [Galois' theory];
    Pešić 03,
    Alekseev 04 [Abel's theorem];
    Boswell & Glasser mp/05 [sextic, solvable].
  @ Quintic: Livio 05 [and groups];
    Glasser a0907 [solution of DeMoivre's equation];
    Bârsan a0910
      [applications of Passare-Tsikh solution].
Algebraic Functions
  @ References: Artin 67.
Related Topics > s.a. Algebraic Geometry;
  Geometric Algebra; Hypercomplex
  Algebra; numbers [algebraic number]; series;
  summations.
  * Square roots: For a complex number
(a + ib)1/2 = ± [ {[a + (a2+b2)1/2] / 2}1/2 + (−1)b < 0 i {[−a + (a2+b2)1/2] / 2}1/2] ;
A useful identity is
(A ± B1/2)1/2 ≡ {[A + (A2−B)1/2] / 2}1/2 ± {[A − (A2−B)1/2] / 2}1/2 .
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  send feedback and suggestions to bombelli at olemiss.edu – modified 22 jan 2016