quadratic

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English[edit]

polynomial degrees
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Next: cubic

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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[edit]

  • IPA(key): /kwɒdˈɹætɪk/, /kwəˈdɹætɪk/
  • (file)

Adjective[edit]

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[edit]

Noun[edit]

quadratic (plural quadratics)

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

Translations[edit]

Usage notes[edit]

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[edit]

Related terms[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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

Further reading[edit]