quadratic equation

American

noun

Mathematics.

an equation containing a single variable of degree 2. Its general form is ax 2 + bx + c = 0, where x is the variable and a, b, and c are constants (a ≠ 0).

Etymology

Origin of quadratic equation

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

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quadratic equation

One especially influential Indian mathematician was Brahmagupta, whose algebraic techniques could handle any quadratic equation.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 10, 2023

A polynomial equation of degree two is called a quadratic equation.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

Let’s review how we used factoring to solve the quadratic equation x2 = 9.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

The result is the pair of solutions to the quadratic equation.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

The quadratic formula has been known for centuries; the ninth-century mathematician al-Khowarizmi knew how to solve almost every quadratic equation, though he didn’t seem to consider negative numbers as roots.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023