Summary: | This paper is divided into two parts. The first part
traces (in details providing proofs and examples) the
history of the solutions of polynomial equations(of the
first, second, third, and fourth degree) by radicals from
Babylonian times (2000 B.C.) through 20th century. Also it
is shown that there is no solution by radicals for the
quintic (fifth degree) and higher degree equations.
The second part of this thesis illustrates both
numerical and graphical solutions of the quintic and higher
degree polynomial equations using modern technology such as
graphics calculators (TI-85, and HP-48G) and software
packages (Matlab, Mathematica, and Maple). === Graduation date: 1995
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