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4 Elementary FunctionsApplications

§4.43 Cubic Equations

Let p(≠0) and q be real constants and

4.43.1 A =(−43⁢p)1/2,
B =(43⁢p)1/2.

The roots of

4.43.2 z3+p⁢z+q=0

are:

  1. (a)

    A⁢sin⁡a, A⁢sin⁡(a+23⁢π), and A⁢sin⁡(a+43⁢π), with sin⁡(3⁢a)=4⁢q/A3, when 4⁢p3+27⁢q2≤0.

  2. (b)

    A⁢cosh⁡a, A⁢cosh⁡(a+23⁢π⁢i), and A⁢cosh⁡(a+43⁢π⁢i), with cosh⁡(3⁢a)=−4⁢q/A3, when p<0, q<0, and 4⁢p3+27⁢q2>0.

  3. (c)

    B⁢sinh⁡a, B⁢sinh⁡(a+23⁢π⁢i), and B⁢sinh⁡(a+43⁢π⁢i), with sinh⁡(3⁢a)=−4⁢q/B3, when p>0.

Note that in Case (a) all the roots are real, whereas in Cases (b) and (c) there is one real root and a conjugate pair of complex roots. See also §1.11(iii).