Also called: quadratic equationan equation containing one or more terms in which the variable is raised to the power of two, but no terms in which it is raised to a higher power
1650s, "square," with -ic + obsolete quadrate "a square; a group of four things" (late 14c.), from Latin quadratum, noun use of neuter adjective quadratus "square, squared," past participle of quadrare "to square, set in order, complete" (see quadrant). Quadratic equations (1660s) so called because they involve the square of x.
Relating to a mathematical expression containing a term of the second degree, such as x2 + 2.♦ A quadratic equation is an equation having the general form ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants.♦ The quadratic formula is x = -b ± √(b2 - 4ac)/2a. It is used in algebra to calculate the roots of quadratic equations.
