Algebraic solution

An algebraic solution or solution in radicals is a closed-form expression, and more specifically a closed-form algebraic expression, that is the solution of an algebraic equation in terms of the coefficients, relying only on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to integer powers, and the extraction of nth roots (square roots, cube roots, and other integer roots).

A well-known example is the solution

${\displaystyle x={\frac {-b\pm {\sqrt {b^{2}-4ac\ }}}{2a}}}$

of the quadratic equation

${\displaystyle ax^{2}+bx+c=0.}$

There exist more complicated algebraic solutions for cubic equations[1] and quartic equations.[2] The Abel–Ruffini theorem,[3]^:211 and, more generally Galois theory, state that some quintic equations, such as

${\displaystyle x^{5}-x+1=0,}$

do not have any algebraic solution. The same is true for every higher degree. However, for any degree there are some polynomial equations that have algebraic solutions; for example, the equation ${\displaystyle x^{10}=2}$ can be solved as ${\displaystyle x={\sqrt[{10}]{2}}.}$ See also Quintic function § Other solvable quintics for various other examples in degree 5.

Évariste Galois introduced a criterion allowing one to decide which equations are solvable in radicals. See Radical extension for the precise formulation of his result.

Algebraic solutions form a subset of closed-form expressions, because the latter permit transcendental functions (non-algebraic functions) such as the exponential function, the logarithmic function, and the trigonometric functions and their inverses.