Solution of a depressed cubic equation

  • Thread starter Thread starter PainterGuy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cubic
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
4 replies · 4K views
PainterGuy
Messages
938
Reaction score
73
Hi,

I was trying to solve the equation x³-2x-5=0. I solved it online and the real solution is x≈2.0946.

The following is an excerpt from the Wikipedia article on cubic equation.

1592807371902.png


The cubic equation, x³-2x-5=0, is a depressed cubic and in this case 4p³+27q²>0. But the real root of equation comes out to be different, please see below.

1592807930198.png


The correct real solution is x≈2.0946 therefore the value x=2.4142 is not correct. Where am I going? Could you please help me?

[Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I think you swapped p and q.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2 and PainterGuy
Thank you.

That was really silly!

1592813200902.png
 
I'd say Prozac.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PainterGuy, etotheipi and Adesh
archaic said:
I'd say Prozac.

It just needs a hug :frown:

I think it's because all the other equations are calling him odd
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: PainterGuy