Difference between revisions of "Quadratic equation"
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A '''quadratic equation''' can take two forms. The general formula, written as a function of <math>x</math>, <math>y=f(x)</math>, is: | A '''quadratic equation''' can take two forms. The general formula, written as a function of <math>x</math>, <math>y=f(x)</math>, is: | ||
| − | :<math> | + | :<math>a squared plus b squared = c squared</math> |
The graph of a quadratic equation is a [[parabola]], one of the [[conic section]]s. (In some cases, the parabola collapses, most obviously when <math>a = 0</math>) | The graph of a quadratic equation is a [[parabola]], one of the [[conic section]]s. (In some cases, the parabola collapses, most obviously when <math>a = 0</math>) | ||
Revision as of 16:58, May 7, 2008
A quadratic equation can take two forms. The general formula, written as a function of , , is:
The graph of a quadratic equation is a parabola, one of the conic sections. (In some cases, the parabola collapses, most obviously when )
The points where this curve crosses the y axis are represented by the second form of the equation:
- Failed to parse (MathML with SVG or PNG fallback (recommended for modern browsers and accessibility tools): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle ax^2 + bx + c = 0}
These are solved for using the quadratic formula, which will not only solve for real roots, but result in the imaginary roots if the parabola does not actually cross the y axis (this is when Failed to parse (MathML with SVG or PNG fallback (recommended for modern browsers and accessibility tools): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle 4ac} is greater than Failed to parse (MathML with SVG or PNG fallback (recommended for modern browsers and accessibility tools): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle b^2} ).
Quadratic equations are very important in calculating the motion of bodies under constant acceleration, i.e., gravity.
The derivative of a quadratic equation is a simple linear function:
- Failed to parse (MathML with SVG or PNG fallback (recommended for modern browsers and accessibility tools): Invalid response ("Math extension cannot connect to Restbase.") from server "https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/":): {\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dx} = 2ax + b}