Polynomials Invertible in k-Radicals

Abstract

A classic result of Ritt describes polynomials invertible in radicals: they are compositions of power polynomials, Chebyshev polynomials and polynomials of degree at most 4. In this paper we prove that a polynomial invertible in radicals and solutions of equations of degree at most k is a composition of power polynomials, Chebyshev polynomials, polynomials of degree at most k and, if $$k\le 14$$ , certain polynomials with exceptional monodromy groups. A description of these exceptional polynomials is given. The proofs rely on classification of monodromy groups of primitive polynomials obtained by Müller based on group-theoretical results of Feit and on previous work on primitive polynomials with exceptional monodromy groups by many authors.