cubic equation

noun

: a polynomial equation in which the highest sum of exponents of variables in any term is three

Examples of cubic equation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And there was the discovery of Mandelbrot sets in other contexts entirely, as in the search for numerical solutions to cubic equations. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Solving quadratics with the power of symmetry might embolden us to try a similar tactic on cubic equations. Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023 Bombelli found solvable cubic equations for which the del Ferro-Tartaglia-Cardano formula nonetheless required computing the square root of a negative number. Marc-Olivier Renou, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2023 This is the cubic formula, which, like the quadratic formula, solves every cubic equation. Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023 From his deathbed, Fiore's mentor, Scipione del Ferro, had given Fiore a formula for solving equations of the form x3 + ax = b, also known as cubic equations. Marc-Olivier Renou, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2023 Alpöge, Bhargava and Shnidman needed what elliptic curve researchers call a converse theorem — something that takes information about a cubic equation and uses it to construct rational solutions. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2022 Thus, Cardano was able to solve every cubic equation. Quanta Magazine, 30 June 2022 All three of these numbers satisfy the cubic equation x3 – 1 = 0. Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cubic equation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cubic equation was circa 1751

Dictionary Entries Near cubic equation

Cite this Entry

“Cubic equation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cubic%20equation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cubic equation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!