quadratic equation

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. 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).

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Etymology

Origin of quadratic equation

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

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

From Scientific American • Aug. 10, 2023

A quadratic equation is an equation of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0 .

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Write the quadratic equation in standard form, ax2 + bx + c = 0.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

This is true, of course, when we solve a quadratic equation by completing the square too.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Though quadratic equations are more complicated than linear equations, there is a simple way to figure out what the roots of a quadratic equation are.

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