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Re: Quadratic Equations
Posted:
Apr 9, 1996 8:09 PM
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Jeffrey:
My understanding is that it is related to the notion of "quadrature",
meaning to turn into a square (four-sided). For if x represents a linear
segment then x^2 should be represented by a quadrangular region.
I'm sure others will provide more detail and correct me if I'm wrong.
x x^2
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Sandy
UT San Antonio
On Tue, 9 Apr 1996, Jeffrey Darrow wrote:
> Today I had a student in my college algebra class ask me why
> "Quadratic Equations" are so named. If we have a polynomial of
> degree 3 set equal to zero, we call it a cubic equation and that
> makes sense to these students. However, this particular student is
> curious because she sees "Q-U-A-D" in quadratic and thinks of four,
> yet the polynomial in such an equation is only of degree 2. I've
> never encountered this question before and I was at a loss for an
> explanation. Does anyone know the origin of the term "quadratic
> equation"? I would be very grateful to receive an answer.
>
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> Jeff Darrow
> Idaho State University
>
>
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