Mathematicians have devised a new way to solve higher-order polynomial equations, ushering in a 'dramatic revision of a basic chapter in algebra'.

Solutions to the simplest polynomial equations — called “roots of unity” — have an elegant structure that mathematicians still use to study some of math’s greatest open questions.

Quadratic equations are polynomials, meaning strings of math terms. An expression like “x + 4” is a polynomial. They can have ...