Recent Presentations by Ross Gingrich

• "Cardano’s Solution of the Cubic Equation
  Talk given at the 2006 Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Conference at Westfield State College on April 8, 2006
  (Yes, I did give it, but to a small audience because I was delayed and arrived about four minutes late.)
  I hope to have an outline and bibliography for this talk posted by May 1.
  Abstract:  While the quadratic formula for solving quadratic equations is well known, many students have not seen Gerolamo Cardano’s method for solving the general cubic equation x^3+bx^2+cx+d=0.  Cardano published his solution in his Ars Magna or The Rules of Algebra in 1545 CE. In this talk, we will look at the history of his solution, the method that he used, and its modern formulation.  We shall see that his solution was a process (or an algorithm), not an algebraic formula. Also, he did not actually solve the general cubic. Instead, he solved thirteen separate cases of the cubic, which together were equivalent to his solving the general cubic.
  
  
   

• "A Short History of the Quadratic and Cubic Equations"
  Talk given at the NCTM Regional Meeting in Hartford on October 6, 2005
  I have not yet yet posted  the outline (and bibliography) of my talk at the NCTM Regional Meeting on October 6, 2005..  The talk itself was on hand-written  transparencies, so I need to finish typing the outline and bibliography into an accessible document.  I will do so by July 2006, if not before.   I apologize for the delay.  If you do not want to keep checking here, send me an e-mail at gingrichr1@southernct.edu and I will let you know when it is done.
  
  Abstract:  As early as 1600 BCE, the Babylonians were solving problems equivalent to x^2+bx=c. In this session we will discuss methods of solution of quadratic and cubic equations from the time of the Babylonians to 1700 CE.
  
   

• "A Short History of the Quadratic Equation"
  Talk given at the 2005 Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Undergraduate Conference
  
  Abstract:  Solutions to the quadratic equation x2+bx=c were known as long ago as 1600 B.C.E. We will look at methods of solution developed by various cultures, from the time of the Babylonians to the Renaissance.

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Revised: April 10, 2006

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