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Splash Biography



TIM RATIGAN, Princeton freshman studying Mathematics




Major: Mathematics

College/Employer: Princeton

Year of Graduation: 2018

Picture of Tim Ratigan

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Not Available.



Past Classes

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M258: Why can't we solve big polynomials? in Splash Spring 15 (Apr. 25, 2015)
We all know the quadratic formula: if $$ax^2+bx+c=0$$, then $$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$. We might not have memorized the corresponding formula for cubic polynomials, but we know it's there. The formula for quartics is a monster, but, nevertheless, there is one. Breaking the trend, in 1823 it was proven that it is literally impossible find a general formula for any polynomial more complicated than a quartic. How? Why? Come and find out!