quadratic

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English

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polynomial degrees
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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From French quadratique (1765), from Latin quadrātus + -ique[1] (English -ic), form of quadrō (I make square), from quādrus (square), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres (four), whence also Latin quartus (fourth).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /kwɒdˈɹætɪk/, /kwəˈdɹætɪk/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Adjective

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quadratic (not comparable)

  1. Square-shaped.
  2. (mathematics) Of a polynomial, involving the second power (square) of a variable but no higher powers, as .
  3. (mathematics) Of an equation, of the form .
  4. (mathematics) Of a function, of the form .


Translations

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Noun

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quadratic (plural quadratics)

  1. (mathematics) A quadratic polynomial, function or equation.

Translations

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Usage notes

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Not to be confused with quartic (degree four). Both derive ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres (four), with quadratic coming from “four-sided”, hence “square, two-dimensional, degree two”.

Derived terms

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ quadratique”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Further reading

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