A quadratic is a polynomial of degree 2, typically in the form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, where $a$, $b$, and $c$ are constants. Quadratics have a characteristic parabolic graph that opens upwards if $a > 0$ and downwards if $a < 0$.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The solutions to a quadratic equation can be found using the quadratic formula: $$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$$.
Quadratic equations may have two real solutions, one real solution, or no real solutions depending on the discriminant ($b^2 - 4ac$).
When solving systems involving quadratics, substitution or elimination methods can be used to find points of intersection.
Factoring is another method to solve quadratics when they can be expressed as $(px + q)(rx + s) = 0$.
$y = ax^2 + bx + c$ represents a parabola with its vertex at $(h, k)$ where $h = -\frac{b}{2a}$ and $k = f(h)$.