What is Quadratic: Definition and 986 Discussions

In mathematics, a quadratic form is a polynomial with terms all of degree two ("form" is another name for a homogeneous polynomial). For example,




4

x

2


+
2
x
y

3

y

2




{\displaystyle 4x^{2}+2xy-3y^{2}}
is a quadratic form in the variables x and y. The coefficients usually belong to a fixed field K, such as the real or complex numbers, and one speaks of a quadratic form over K. If



K
=

R



{\displaystyle K=\mathbb {R} }
, and the quadratic form takes zero only when all variables are simultaneously zero, then it is a definite quadratic form, otherwise it is an isotropic quadratic form.
Quadratic forms occupy a central place in various branches of mathematics, including number theory, linear algebra, group theory (orthogonal group), differential geometry (Riemannian metric, second fundamental form), differential topology (intersection forms of four-manifolds), and Lie theory (the Killing form).
Quadratic forms are not to be confused with a quadratic equation, which has only one variable and includes terms of degree two or less. A quadratic form is one case of the more general concept of homogeneous polynomials.

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  1. RChristenk

    Solve ##y+3=3\sqrt{y+7}##

    ##y+3=3\sqrt{y+7}## Square both sides: ##\Rightarrow y^2+6y+9=9y+63## ##\Rightarrow y^2-3y-54=0## ##\Rightarrow (y-9)(y+6)=0## ##y=9, -6## But if you plug in ##y=-6## into the original equation, you get ##-3=3## . So it doesn't work. Why?
  2. paulb203

    Solve using complete the square vs. quadratic formula

    Using the complete the square method I got; -3+root8 or -3-root8 But using the quadratic formula (to check my answer) I got; -3+root 10 or -3-root 10 I've checked both answers several times but can't get to the bottom of it :)
  3. F

    B Deriving formula for sin(x-y)

    I was trying to show that ##sin(x-y) = sin(x)cos(y)-cos(x)sin(y)## using Pythagoras' theorem and ##cos(x-y)=cos(x)cos(y)+sin(x)sin(y)##. I have: $$sin^2(x-y)=1-cos^2(x-y)$$ $$sin^2(x-y)=1-(cos(x)cos(y)+sin(x)sin(y))^2$$...
  4. T

    I Correlation Matrix of Quadratic Hamiltonian

    I am struggling to rederive equations (61) and (62) from the following paper, namely I just want to understand how they evaluated terms like ##\alpha\epsilon\alpha^{T}## using (58). It seems like they don't explicitly solve for ##\alpha## right?
  5. chwala

    Solve the given inequality Q. 21

    Q. 21 Allow me to post using phone... Will amend/ show working when i get hold of computer.In my working I have ##5x^2 -cx^2-4x-2<0## ##56-8c<0## ... ##c>7## Textbook says ##7>c## ...who's fooling who here? 😊 I have seen my mistake. I am wrong...put in wrong inequality sign... Should be...
  6. chwala

    Conceptual question on equations of the form ##x=ay^2+by+c##

    Now i just need some clarification; we know that quadratic equations are equations of the form ##y=ax^2+bx+c## with ##a,b## and ##c## being constants and ##x## and ##y## variables. Now my question is... can we also view/look at ##x=y^2+2y+1## as quadratic equations having switched the...
  7. fsonnichsen

    I Margenau on quadratic form

    Looking at the proof of the Schwarz inequality in Margenau and Murphy, you will see what I attached. Gamma is asserted to be positive (OK). Given that the usual "quadratic form" solution would read "-(B+B*) .....". The sign does not seem correct to me as shown. In a fact B+B* = 2Re(B) and...
  8. S

    Solving an absolute value quadratic inequality

    Im a having trouble understanding how this exactly works. $$ |x^2 - 4| < |x^2+2| $$ So I know the usual thing to do when you have absolute values,here it is even simpler since the right part of the inequality is always positive so I just have these 2 cases. 1. ## x^2-4 >= 0 ## and 2. ## x^2-4...
  9. M

    Non quadratic potentials and quantization in QFT (home exercise)

    I noticed that ##V(\phi)## has nonzero minima, therefore I found the stationary points as ##{{\partial{V}}\over{\partial\phi}}=0##, and found the solutions: $$\phi^0_{1,2}=-{{m}\over{\sqrt{\lambda}}}\quad \phi^0_3={{2m}\over{\sqrt{\lambda}}}$$ of these, only ##\phi^0_3## is a stable minimum...
  10. C

    Quadratic inequalities with absolute values

    I was given a problem to solve that goes like this ##\frac{3}{|x+3|-1}\geq |x+2|## . I got the correct solution for all possible cases and here they are; for ##|x+3|\geq0## and ##|x+2|\geq## i got ##x\epsilon <-2, -2\sqrt{3} ]## and for ##|x+3|\leq0## , ##|x+2|\leq0## I got ##x\epsilon [-5...
  11. Astronuc

    Teaching the quadratic equation and the roots

    https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/06/131673/a-new-way-to-make-quadratic-equations-easy/ An interesting article about solving ax2 + bx + c = 0 = (x-R)(x-S), where R and S are the roots. ## x = \frac{-b ± \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} ## In my classes, we were never 'spoon fed' any formula, but...
  12. C

    Formula for Xo and Yo for graph of quadratic function

    Can someone please tell me where I am wrong. I am learning how to write ##a^{2} + bx + c## in this form ##f(x)= a(X-X_0)^{2} +Y_0##. The method used in my textbook is a reduction to the perfect square. And it goes like this: ##f(x)=ax^2+bx+c## ##=a[x^2+\frac{b}{a}x]+c## ##=a\left [...
  13. C

    Quadratic equation: Which way is correct? pic1 or pic2?

    I am a bit confused, so if anyone can explain to me which way is right I would be very thankful. I think that the way in pic 1 is right because of the properties written next to the procedure but the professor who posts videos on youtube solved it the way as written in pic 2 where he didn't...
  14. C

    I Congruence for Symmetric and non-Symmetric Matrices for Quadratic Form

    I learned that for a bilinear form/square form the following theorem holds: matrices ## A , B ## are congruent if and only if ## A,B ## represent the same bilinear/quadratic form. Now, suppose I have the following quadratic form ## q(x,y) = x^2 + 3xy + y^2 ##. Then, the matrix representing...
  15. F

    Quadratic Surfaces: Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2

    Substitute (a,b,c) into z=y^2-x^2: c=b^2-a^2 Substitute the parametric equations of L1 into the equation of the hyperbolic paraboloid in order to find points of intersection: z=y^2-x^2 c+2(b-a)t=(b+t)^2-(a+t)^2=b^2-a^2+(b-a)t c=b^2-a^2
  16. chwala

    Solve the quadratic equation that involves sum and product

    I am refreshing on this...Have to read broadly...i will start with (b) then i may be interested in alternative approach or any correction that may arise from my working. Cheers. Kindly note that i do not have the solutions to the following questions... For (b), we know that, say, if ##x=α##...
  17. PaulDiddams

    B Quadratic with simple meaningful intuitive constants

    Ever made a simple model that fits a quadratic function? Tweaking the a, b and c constants to fit new observed data is a bit of a pain. When I was a grad. student I came up with the following simple quadratic rearrangement that uses the intercept (Yo) and the values of x and y that define the...
  18. chwala

    Find the value of ##r## and ##s## in the given quadratic equation

    Let the roots of the given quadratic equation be ##x=α## and ##x=β## then our quadratic equation will be of the form; $$x^2-(α+β)x+αβ$$ It follows that ##(α+β)=(r+is)## and ##αβ=4##. We are informed that ##α^2+β^2=6i ## then $$6i=(r+is)(r+is)-8$$ ... $$8+6i=(r^2-s^2)+2rsi$$ solving the...
  19. chwala

    Solve the quadratic equation involving sum and product

    For part (i), ##(x-α)(x-β)=x^2-(α+β)x+αβ## ##α+β = p## and ##αβ=-c## therefore,##α^3+β^3=(α+β)^3-3αβ(α+β)## =##p^3+3cp## =##p(p^2+3c)## For part (ii), We know that; ##tan^{-1} x+tan^{-1} y##=##tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac...
  20. chwala

    Solve the given quadratic equation that involves sum and product

    For part a, We have ##α+β=b## and ##αβ =c##. It follows that, ##(α^2 + 1)(β^2+1)=α^2β^2+α^2+β^2+1)## =##α^2β^2+(α+β)^2-2αβ +1## =##c^2+b^2-2c+1## =##c^2-2c+1+b^2##...
  21. karush

    MHB Solving Quadratic Equations without CD: Better Direction?

    ok this was posted on LinkedIn and sure it has already be answered but usually these types of problems are resolved by way too many steps so just wanted to proceed with this without looking at previous attempts my first reaction was to get a CD but would introduce a bigger problem however...
  22. chwala

    Show that two real distinct roots in the given quadratic equation exist

    Find the question below; Find my working below; I hope i understood what the question was asking...you may confirm. Cheers guys
  23. Diracobama2181

    A Pauli Villars for Quadratic Divergences

    My guess would be to do an integral of the form $$\frac{\int d^4k}{(2\pi)^4}k^2(\frac{1}{(k^2-m^2+i\epsilon)}-\frac{1}{k^2-\Lambda_1^2+i\epsilon})(\frac{1}{(k^2-m^2+i\epsilon)}-\frac{1}{k^2-\Lambda_2^2+i\epsilon})$$ before Wick otating and integrating. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
  24. chwala

    Find the inequality that satisfies this quadratic problem

    see the textbook problem below; see my working to solution below; i generally examine the neighbourhood of the critical values in trying to determine the correct inequality. My question is "is there a different approach other than checking the neighbourhood of the critical values"? In other...
  25. hackedagainanda

    Maximizing Area: Solving Quadratic Applications with Triangles and Rectangles

    So the top of the structure is a triangle with height x. and the height of the rectangle is 2 + x, and the length is 3x. I'm unsure where to go from here. I tried using the formula and getting 3x^2 + 6x +x = 3x^2 + 7x -336 =0 I applied the quadratic formula but it gave me non-integer solutions...
  26. hackedagainanda

    Comparing Solutions of Quadratic Equations: Real vs Imaginary Roots

    I subtract 5 from both sides to get 7x^2 = -5 Then I divide both sides by 7 to get -5/7. I then take the square root to get x = sqrt of the imaginary unit i 5/7 then ##\pm { i \sqrt \frac 5 7}## The quadratic formula on the other hand gets me a different answer, the discriminant = -140 which...
  27. DaalChawal

    MHB Quadratic Equation

    I am confused in (iia) and (iib). If $x^4 +( \alpha - 1) x^2 + \alpha + 2 = 0$ has real roots that means $y^2 + ( \alpha -1) + \alpha + 2 =0 $ should have at least one non-negative root. This means product of roots of (2) can be greater or less than zero...But I'm not able to comment on sum of...
  28. S

    B Is this way of teaching the quadratic solutions really anything new?

    https://getpocket.com/explore/item/mathematician-finds-easier-way-to-solve-quadratic-equations This seems to just be the quadratic formula in a transposed way. :rolleyes:
  29. morrobay

    B Is this curve quadratic or exponential?

    Does this curve look quadratic or exponential
  30. A

    I Canonical Form for quadratic equations *with* linear terms

    Hello: I'm not sure if there's an accepted canonical form for a quadratic equation in two (or more) variables: $$ax^2+by^2+cxy+dx+ey+f=0$$ Is it the following form? (using the orthogonal matrix Q that diagonalizes the quadratic part): $$ w^TDw+[d \ \ e]w+f=0$$ $$w^TDw+Lw+f=0$$ where $$...
  31. brotherbobby

    Both roots of a quadratic equation lying within limits

    Given equation and conditions: ##\boldsymbol{x^2+2(k-3)x+9=0}##, with roots ##\boldsymbol{(x_1,x_2)}##. These roots satisfy the condition ##\boldsymbol{-6<x_1,x_2<1}##. Question : ##\text{What are the allowable values for}\; \boldsymbol{k}?## (0) Let me take care of the determinant first...
  32. Monoxdifly

    MHB [ASK] Stuck on a Quadratic Equation

    The equation (a-1)x^2-4ax+4a+7=0 with a is a whole number has positive roots. If x_1>x_2 then x_2-x_1=... A. –8 B. –5 C. –2 D. 2 E. 8 Since the equation has positive roots then x_1>0 and x_2>0 thus x_1+x_2>0 and x_1x_2>0 x_1+x_2>0 \frac{-(-4a)}{a-1}>0 x_1x_2>0 \frac{4a+7}{a-1}>0 However I...
  33. kshitij

    Quadratic equation and its roots

    On simplifying the given equation we get, x^2-x-1=0 and using the quadratic formula we get x=(1+√5)/2 and x=(1-√5)/2 Now, as the formula suggests, there are two possible values for x which satisfies the given equation. But now, if we follow a process in any general calculator by entering...
  34. A

    MHB Quadratic Relation

    A golfer hits a tee shot into the rough and the ball stops approximately 120 yds from the green. There is a tree located 40 yds from the ball, directly in the path of the shot. The golfer decides to try to hit the ball over the tree. The path of the shot can be modeled by the equation h =...
  35. M

    MHB Can Plugging in (x/2) or (x - 1/2) Determine Real Zeros in a Quadratic Equation?

    I can replace f(x) with x - x^2. Should I plug (x/2) into f(x)? How about (x - 1/2) into f(x)? I need the set up.
  36. brotherbobby

    Both roots of a quadratic equation above and below a number

    Let me start by pasting the question as it appears in the text :My Attempt : Given equation : ##\boldsymbol{2x^2+mx+m^2-5 = 0}##. For the roots of this equation to be real, the discriminant : ##m^2-8(m^2-5) \ge 0\Rightarrow 7m^2-40\le 0\Rightarrow -\sqrt{\frac{40}{7}} \le m \le...
  37. brotherbobby

    Quadratic equation with roots of opposite signs

    Given : The equation ##2x^2-(a^3+8a-1)x+a^2-4a = 0## with roots of opposite signs. Required : What is the value of ##a## ? Attempt : The roots of the equation must be of the form ##\alpha, -\alpha##. The sum of the roots ##0 = a^3+8a-1##. I do not know how to solve this equation. However...
  38. brotherbobby

    Quadratic equation with no rational roots

    Given : Equation ##x^2+(2m+1)x+(2n+1) = 0## where ##m \in \mathbb{Z}, n \in \mathbb{Z}##, i.e. both ##m,n## are integers. To prove : If ##\alpha,\beta## be its two roots, then they are not rational numbers. Attempt : The discriminant of the equation ##\mathscr{D} = (2m+1)^2 - 4(2n+1) =...
  39. G

    B Need assistance with an unusual quadratic solution method

    I have come across this strange method of solving degree 2 polynomials but I do not find the explanation provided to be very helpful. Here is the method description: "In the 16th century, mathematician Francois Viete solved quadratic equations by a unique substitution method. To solve an...
  40. brotherbobby

    To prove that a given quadratic has integral roots

    Given : The quadratic equation ##x^2+px+q = 0## with coefficients ##p,q \in \mathbb{Z}##, that is positive or negative integers. Also the roots of the equation ##\alpha, \beta \in \mathbb{Q}##, that is they are rational numbers. To prove that ##\boxed{\alpha,\beta \in \mathbb{Z}}##, i.e. the...
  41. brotherbobby

    Three () distinct real roots of a quadratic equation

    It is given that ##x_1, x_2\; \text{and}\; x_3## are roots of the equation ##ax^2+bx+c=0##, which are pairwise distinct. If indeed they are roots, we should have ##ax_1^2+bx_1+c= 0 = ax_2^2+bx_2+c= 0 = ax_3^2+bx_3+c= 0##. On subtracting the first two, we obtain ##a(x_1^2-x_2^2)+b(x_1-x_2) =...
  42. Ugnius

    Comp Sci Octave coding -- solving a quadratic equation and then using the roots

    Hi , I had to solve a quadratic equation , i got two roots as an answer ( ans= x1 / x2) , and now i need to use one of those answers to complete further tasks like finding y from x+y=c so i need to use x1 and x2 from roots , i was wondering if that's possible and how
  43. yucheng

    Extraneous Solutions: Which step did it come from?

    I used the identity ##\sqrt{x^2}=|x|## and completed the square as follows: \begin{align*} x^2-3|x|-2&=0 \tag1\\ \sqrt{x^4}-3\sqrt{x^2}-2&=0 \tag2\\ (\sqrt{x^2}-\frac{3}{2})^2-\frac{9}{4}-2&=0 \tag3\\ (\sqrt{x^2}-\frac{3}{2})^2&=\frac{17}{4} \tag4\\...
  44. maistral

    Stat-mech: Quadratic composition dependence

    I am quite unsure where to post this, as I am a chemical engineer and that I am working with phase equilibrium. My issue however is regarding statistical mechanics, thus me posting my problem here. I keep on encountering that the second virial coefficient of a mixture must be quadratically...
  45. penroseandpaper

    Quadratic air resistance clarification

    Hi all, I've been trying to follow a question I came across on a website. And I'm able to understand everything up until the separation of variables for solving the differential equation and coming to a solution with arctan. But there are a few things that aren't explained that I was hoping...
  46. T

    Quadratic Drag Force: Solving Differently

    But the answers to these two questions confuses me. For the first question the answer goes like: $$m\ddot y = -mkv^2-mg$$ $$\therefore \ddot y = v\frac{dv}{dy}$$ $$\therefore v\frac{dv}{dy}= -kv^2-g$$ but for the answer to the second question we have: $$m\dot v = mg - cv^2.$$ Both questions...
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