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

These days most students take the math course when they are high school freshmen — remember the quadratic formula? — but top-achieving students are sometimes offered the chance to take algebra a year earlier, in eighth grade.

From New York Times

Our high-school nightmares are graffitied with formulas and calculus and quadratic equations, panicked pop quizzes corrected with a harsh red pen.

From Seattle Times

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

From Scientific American

“If all I find is that the extraterrestrials know quadratic equations, I’m going to be very disappointed,” Vakoch says.

From Scientific American

The sixth graders at Khan Lab School, an independent school with an elementary campus in Palo Alto, Calif., were working on quadratic equations, graphing functions, Venn diagrams.

From New York Times

Related Words

• rectangular