quadratic

[kwo-drat-ik] /kwɒˈdræt ɪk/
adjective
1.
square.
2.
Algebra. involving the square and no higher power of the unknown quantity; of the second degree.
noun
3.
a quadratic polynomial or equation.
Origin
1650-60; quadrate + -ic
Related forms
quadratically, adverb
Examples from the web for quadratic
  • Let me fit a quadratic function to one of these x-position plots as though the disk had a constant horizontal velocity.
  • The quadratic equation may have instilled horror in many of us.
  • Definition of quadratic probing, possibly with links to more information and implementations.
  • On implementing a primal-dual interior-point method for conic quadratic optimization.
British Dictionary definitions for quadratic

quadratic

/kwɒˈdrætɪk/
noun
1.
Also called quadratic 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
2.
of or relating to the second power
Word Origin and History for quadratic
adj.

1650s, "square," with -ic + obsolete quadrate "a square; a group of four things" (late 14c.), from Latin quadratum, noun use of neuter adjective quadratus "square, squared," past participle of quadrare "to square, set in order, complete" (see quadrant). Quadratic equations (1660s) so called because they involve the square of x.

quadratic in Science
quadratic
  (kwŏ-drāt'ĭk)   
Relating to a mathematical expression containing a term of the second degree, such as x2 + 2. ◇ A quadratic equation is an equation having the general form ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants. ◇ The quadratic formula is x = -b ± √(b2 - 4ac)/2a. It is used in algebra to calculate the roots of quadratic equations.