[MATHEDCC] Quadratic Equation
Pansy Waycaster (Pansy_Waycaster@sw.cc.va.us)
Fri, 9 Apr 1999 14:28:00 -0500
David,
That is not a stupid question, but one I also had until last year
when some discussion on this listserv gave me some insight.
Quadratic equations are second degree equations i.e. they have
squared variables in them. One of the places these equations are used is
in finding the area (square units) of quadrilaterals--squares,
rectangles,etc. Thus to find the area of a (quad)rilateral, you need a
second-degree equation. Thus (quad)ratic equations have a variable with an
exponent of 2.
Hope this helps.
Pansy
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