Root-finding algorithm cubic polynomial may involve non-real cube roots). For polynomials of degree five or higher Abel–Ruffini theorem asserts that there is, in general, no radical expression of the roots. So, except for very low degrees, root finding of polynomials consists of finding approximations of the roots. By the fundamental theorem of algebra, one knows that a polynomial of degree has at most real or complex roots, and the this number is reached for almost all polynomials. It follows that the problem of root finding for polynomials may be split in three different subproblems; For finding one root, Newton's method and other
Nth root real. Finally, if "x" is not real, then none of its "n"th roots is real. Roots are usually written using the radical symbol or "radix" with formula_2 denoting the principal square root of formula_3, formula_4 denoting the principal cube root, formula_5 denoting the principal fourth root, and so on. In the expression formula_6, "n" is called the "index", formula_7 is the "radical sign" or "radix", and formula_3 is called the "radicand". Since the radical symbol denotes a function, it is defined to return only one result for a given argument formula_3, which is called the principal "n"th root of formula_3.