Abel-Ruffini theorem

English

Etymology

Named after Paolo Ruffini, who made an incomplete proof in 1799, and Niels Henrik Abel, who provided a proof in 1824.

Proper noun

the Abel-Ruffini theorem

1. (mathematics) A theorem stating that there is no solution in radicals to general polynomial equations of degree five or higher with arbitrary coefficients.

   Synonym: Abel's impossibility theorem