A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree. It is also known as the 'quad' which means a variable is squared. The quadratic equation can be solved using the quadratic formula. The b2 - 4ac is known as the 'discriminant', because it can discriminate between the possible types of answer. If the solution is positive, you will get 2 real solutions, if the solution is 0 you will get just 1 solution, and if it is negative you will get complex solutions.
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree. It is also known as the 'quad' which means a variable is squared. The quadratic equation can be solved using the quadratic formula. The b2 - 4ac is known as the 'discriminant', because it can discriminate between the possible types of answer. If the solution is positive, you will get 2 real solutions, if the solution is 0 you will get just 1 solution, and if it is negative you will get complex solutions.