Solving an indeterminate third degree equation in rational numbers. Sylvester and Lucas
This article concerns the problem of solving diophantine equations in rational numbers. It traces the way in which the 19th century broke from the centuries-old tradition of the purely algebraic treatment of this problem. Special attention is paid to Sylvester’s work “On Certain Ternary Cubic-Form Equations” (1879–1880), in which the algebraico-geometrical approach was applied to the study of an indeterminate equation of third degree.