A quadratic equation is drawn as a curve on a set of axes. This type of curve is called a parabola and it is symmetrical. To draw the graph we need coordinates. We generate these coordinates by ...

Plot of a quadratic equation showing the classic parabola, made with NumPy and Matplotlib. Linear equation 3x + 5 plotted with SymPy. Plot of a Quadratic Equation created in SymPy.

Quadratic equations are basic to algebra and are the math behind parabolas, projectiles, satellite dishes and the golden ratio.

The quadratic formula learned by generations of math students is difficult to remember, but it can be used to solve quadratic equations where y = 0.