Hilbert’s 12th problem asked for novel analogues of the roots of unity, the building blocks for certain number systems. Now, over 100 years later, two mathematicians have produced them.

A UNSW Sydney mathematician has discovered a new method to tackle algebra's oldest challenge—solving higher polynomial equations.

His secret is in generalizing two roots together instead of keeping them as separate values. Quadratic equations are polynomials that include an ... we are trying to find two numbers that multiply to ...