Can you solve a polynomial of third degree by hand? Any help appreciated.

There actually is a general solution for a third degree polynomal, but - it's messy ......you can read about it here :

http://www.math.vanderbilt.edu/~schectex/courses/cubic/

Here's another method using a "depressed" cubic: 

http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/factor/fac11/fac11.html

However.......there may be easier ways of solving certain 3rd degree polynomials -  for instance,  if they can be factored

Also......certain Calculus techniques will provide approximate solutions.....

Do you have a particular problem in mind???

In school we just started with this new topic, and I knew that we have this general formula for a second degree polynomial, so I thought that here may be the same for third degree polynomial. The links was very helpfull for me when I had to figure this topic out, thank you - I understand the topic now!