Polynomial equations

Abstract

In 1545, not only the solution to the cubic but also the solution to the quartic became widely known through the publication of the Ars magna of Girolamo Cardano (1501-1577). Such a distinguished and unexpected devel-opment was a great shock to algebraists that the year 1545 frequently is taken to mark the beginning of the modern period in mathematics. Therefore, in this paper we survey the several algebraic solutions of cubics and quartics with brief historical comments.