Solving Polynomials with Computers

By Victor Pan

Speedy computer algorithms offer new answers to a mathematical problem as ancient as Babylon: finding the zeros, or roots, of high-degree polynomials

Computer Mathematics

Current Issue

This Article From Issue

January-February 1998

Volume 86, Number 1
Page 62

DOI: 10.1511/1998.17.62

When we think of a robot, many of us conjure up a science-fiction image of a two-legged, two-armed machine with lightbulbs for eyes, vaguely resembling a human being. In science fiction, robots are super-competent at mechanical tasks but unable to master the more difficult problems people have to deal with—good versus evil, honesty versus deception, the nature of self-awareness.

Photograph courtesy of NASA.

To access the full article, please log in or subscribe.

American Scientist Comments and Discussion

To discuss our articles or comment on them, please share them and tag American Scientist on social media platforms. Here are links to our profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

If we re-share your post, we will moderate comments/discussion following our comments policy.