Cardano's method of solving cubics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the cubic equation $$x^3 - 13x + 12 = 0$$ using Cardano's method. Participants explore the application of the formula, the nature of the roots, and the calculations involved in deriving the solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests assistance in solving the cubic equation using Cardano's method, expressing difficulty in obtaining the correct answers despite following the method.
  • Another participant provides the formula for Cardano's method and calculates the values of $u$ and $v$, concluding that $x = 3$ is a solution.
  • A different participant questions whether considering multiple values for $v$ would yield additional distinct solutions and expresses uncertainty about the uniqueness of the cube root derived.
  • This participant also inquires about the discriminant and why their calculations differ from those of others, seeking clarification on the nature of the roots.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of cubic roots of unity and provides a method to find all three roots of the cubic equation, suggesting that the roots are $x_0 = 3$, $x_1 = 1$, and $x_2 = -4$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the uniqueness of the cube roots or the nature of the discriminant. Multiple competing views regarding the roots and the application of Cardano's method remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the calculations of discriminants and the implications of multiple cube roots, as well as the dependence on the definitions of the roots used in Cardano's method.

mathmaniac1
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Solve using cardan's method.

$$x^3-13x+12=0$$

$$x=v+u$$

$$3uv=-p=13$$

$$v^3+u^3=-q=-12$$

$$27v^6+324v^3-13=0$$

$$v^3=\frac{-324\pm\sqrt{324^2-27*4*13}}{54}$$

Please solve for x.I know I am asking for too much,but seems like I am not able to get the desired answers even though nothing seems wrong with the method.

I would be so grateful towards anybody who helps.

For the moderator: please change * to x,I don't know how to do that.
Thanks
 
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Cardano's formula states that $x = u+v$ is a solution to $x^{3} +px+q =0$ where $u = \Big(-\frac{q}{2} + \sqrt{\left(\frac{q}{2}\right)^{2} + \left(\frac{p}{3} \right)^{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

and $v = \Big(-\frac{q}{2} - \sqrt{\left(\frac{q}{2}\right)^{2} + \left(\frac{p}{3} \right)^{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$.

So for $x^{3}-13x+12 = 0$ we have $u = \Big(-6 + \sqrt{36 -\frac{2917}{27}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}} = \Big(-6 + \sqrt{-\frac{1225}{27}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

$= \Big(-6 + \frac{35 i}{3 \sqrt{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

which according to Wolfram Alpha equals $\Big( \frac{1}{216} \left( 9 + 5 \sqrt{3}i \right)^{3} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}} = \frac{1}{6} \left(9 + 5 \sqrt{3} i \right)$

And $v$ is the complex conjugate of $u$, that is $\frac{1}{6} \left(9 - 5 \sqrt{3} i \right)$.

So $ x = u+v = \frac{18}{6} = 3$
 
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Random Variable said:
Cardano's formula states that $x = u+v$ is a solution to $x^{3} +px+q =0$ where $u = \Big(-\frac{q}{2} + \sqrt{\left(\frac{q}{2}\right)^{2} + \left(\frac{p}{3} \right)^{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

and $v = \Big(-\frac{q}{2} - \sqrt{\left(\frac{q}{2}\right)^{2} + \left(\frac{p}{3} \right)^{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$.

But if I do it the other way,i.e,thinking that v has 6 values,won't I get 6(v+u) s or is 3 of them surely going to repeat

So for $x^{3}-13x+12 = 0$ we have $u = \Big(-6 + \sqrt{36 -\frac{2917}{27}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}} = \Big(-6 + \sqrt{-\frac{1225}{27}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

$= \Big(-6 + \frac{35 i}{3 \sqrt{3}} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}}$

which according to Wolfram Alpha equals $\Big( \frac{1}{216} \left( 9 + 5 \sqrt{3}i \right)^{3} \Big)^{\frac{1}{3}} = \frac{1}{6} \left(9 + 5 \sqrt{3} i \right)$

Is it the only possible cube root?

And $v$ is the complex conjugate of $u$, that is $\frac{1}{6} \left(9 - 5 \sqrt{3} i \right)$.

How can you be sure?

So $ x = u+v = \frac{18}{6} =
3$

What does wolframalpha say about the other cube roots?...and what about the other roots?please show me how you would those too...

Thanks a lot,but I am wondering what happened when I did it.Why is my discriminant not negative like yours?Why don't I get anyone of the desired roots?
 
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It is useful to remember that, given the values of u and v... $$ u= \sqrt[3]{- \frac{q}{2} + \sqrt{\frac{q^{2}}{4} + \frac{p^{3}}{27}}}\ v= \sqrt[3]{- \frac{q}{2} - \sqrt{\frac{q^{2}}{4} + \frac{p^{3}}{27}}}\ (1)$$

... if $r_{0}= 1$, $r_{1} = e^{i\ \frac{2}{3}\ \pi}$ and $r_{2} = e^{i\ \frac{4}{3}\ \pi}$ are the 'cubic roots' of 1, then the roots of the equation $x^{3} + p\ x + q=0$ are given by...

$$x_{0}= r_{0}\ u + r_{0}\ v\ ;\ x_{1}= r_{1}\ u + r_{2}\ v\ ;\ x_{3}= r_{2}\ u + r_{1}\ v\ (2)$$

With (1), (2) and a bit of patience You can find that the three roots of $x^{3} - 13\ x + 12 = 0$ are $x_{0}=3$, $x_{1}= 1$ and $x_{2}=-4$... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
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