In mathematics, a quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree. The general form is
where x represents a variable, and a, b, and c, represent coefficients and constants, with a ≠ 0. (If a = 0, the equation becomes a linear equation.)
The constants a, b, and c, are called respectively, the quadratic coefficient, the linear coefficient and the constant term or free term. Quadratic comes from quadratus, which is the Latin word for "square." Quadratic equations can be solved by factoring, completing the square, graphing, Newton's method, and using the quadratic formula. One common use of quadratic equations is computing trajectories in projectile motion.
Plots of real-valued quadratic function ax2 + bx + c, varying each coefficient separately
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Quadratic Formula Discriminant b2 4ac
