quadratic

[ kwo-drat-ik ]

adjective

1. square.
2. Algebra. involving the square and no higher power of the unknown quantity; of the second degree.

noun

1. a quadratic polynomial or equation.

quadratic

/ kwɒˈdrætɪk /

noun

1. Also calledquadratic equation an 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

adjective

1. of or relating to the second power

quadratic

/ kwŏ-drăt′ĭk /

1. Relating to a mathematical expression containing a term of the second degree, such as x ² + 2.
2. ◆ A quadratic equation is an equation having the general form ax ² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants.
3. ◆ The quadratic formula is x = − b ± √( b ² − 4 ac )/2 a. It is used in algebra to calculate the roots of quadratic equations.

Other Words From

• quad·rati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadratic¹

First recorded in 1650–60; quadrate + -ic

Example Sentences

Whether you figured this out by inspection or the quadratic formula, the two numbers were 24 and 30.

From FiveThirtyEight

He’s an unabashed geek whose eyes spark when he alights upon one of his favorite concepts, whether it be quadratic voting or the governance system futarchy.

From Time

By the way, this quadratic relationship means you can generate loads of pieces without making too many cuts.

From FiveThirtyEight

This is just one example of what’s called a quadratic polynomial, in which the variable is raised to the second power.

From Quanta Magazine

“When I was in third grade, I was in quadratic equations when my class was, like, reading clocks,” Andraka says.

From The Daily Beast

As a teen, Randy had painted a submarine, an elevator door and the quadratic equation on the walls of his childhood bedroom.

From The Daily Beast

For more exact work, the new concentrations of the three components may be found by solving a simple quadratic equation.

From Project Gutenberg

She now began to read Euclids Elements, and proceeded in algebra as far as quadratic equations.

From Project Gutenberg

The ordinary schoolboy would correctly treat this as a quadratic equation.

From Project Gutenberg

Augustus set going new quadratic ones of his own, with an index and cross-references.

From Project Gutenberg

The next three propositions contain problems which may be said to be solutions of quadratic equations.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rectangular