quadratic

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English

polynomial degrees
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Next: cubic

Alternative forms

Etymology

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).

Adjective

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

Noun

quadratic (plural quadratics)

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

Translations

Usage notes

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

See also

References

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

Further reading