Physical model for Completing the Cube?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenges of visualizing and solving cubic equations compared to quadratic equations, particularly through physical models. The user questions whether any mathematicians have developed a three-dimensional model to aid in understanding cubic equations, noting the lack of symmetry in cubics that complicates this process. The transformation of a general cubic equation into the form (x+a)³+b is highlighted as a significant hurdle, emphasizing the complexity of cubic solutions compared to the more straightforward method of completing the square for quadratics.

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Completing the Square for finding the general solution for a quadratic equation by using a two dimensional drawing is easy. Since we can not so easily draw a three dimensional figure to help in finding a solution to a cubic equation, has any clever mathematician ever found a three dimensional physical model to help in deriving a solution to a general cubic equation?

I ask because, the method of producing the solution seems to rely on a bunch of new variables without showing clearly how and why it all works. So very different from understanding the quadratic equations.
 
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Well we can quite easily complete the square not because of how easy it is to model physically but because of the symmetry quadratics have about their axis. Since general cubics don't have this symmetry, I would be very sceptical if any physical interpretations of solving cubics have been found.

Also to complete the cube, mustn't we be able to transform the general cubic into the form [tex](x+a)^3+b[/tex]? This cannot be done in general.
 
Mentallic said:
Also to complete the cube, mustn't we be able to transform the general cubic into the form [tex](x+a)^3+b[/tex]? This cannot be done in general.

The general cubic can be transformed into the form (x + a)3 + (x + b)3
 

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