quadratic equation
noun
: any equation containing one term in which the unknown is squared and no term in which it is raised to a higher power
solve for x in the quadratic equation x2 + 4x + 4 = 0
Examples of quadratic equation in a Sentence
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With far too many Americans capable of cranking through quadratic equations but unable to calculate compound credit card interest, Ted’s answer is to replace the lot with practical math: estimation, statistics, probability, prediction, optimization, algorithms, decision analysis and game theory.
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Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Hence, grown-up Chris is a nomadic misfit with two talents: sharpshooting and solving quadratic equations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
These derivatives can be used to construct a special quadratic equation — a parabola if your function lives in a 2D plane, and a cuplike shape called a paraboloid if your function is higher dimensional.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
One especially influential Indian mathematician was Brahmagupta, whose algebraic techniques could handle any quadratic equation.
—Peter Schumer, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023
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Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Hence, grown-up Chris is a nomadic misfit with two talents: sharpshooting and solving quadratic equations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
These derivatives can be used to construct a special quadratic equation — a parabola if your function lives in a 2D plane, and a cuplike shape called a paraboloid if your function is higher dimensional.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
One especially influential Indian mathematician was Brahmagupta, whose algebraic techniques could handle any quadratic equation.
—Peter Schumer, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Quadratic equation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadratic%20equation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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