RE: [MATHEDCC] Quadratic Equation

Teichert, Harry (hteichert@mail.elgin.cc.il.us)
Mon, 12 Apr 1999 11:07:45 -0500

> Quadratic equations are second degree equations i.e. they have
>squared variables in them.

"squared variables": The same problem exists here as with the use of
"quadratic" to refer to polynomial equations of degree two -- why do we call
x^2 "x squared" (since a square has four sides, not two). Again, x^2 is the
*area* of a square with sides of length x.

Harry Teichert

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

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