Quadratisch

Quadratisch is a German adjective meaning "square-shaped" or "relating to a square." In everyday language it describes objects whose outline is square or roughly square, for example ein quadratisches Fenster (a square window) or eine quadratische Fläche (a square-shaped area). The term is commonly used in design, architecture, and graphic arts to indicate a right-angled, four-sided form.

In mathematics and related fields, quadratisch also denotes a relation of second degree. A quadratische Funktion is a function of degree two, such as y = ax^2 + bx + c, whose graph is a parabola. A quadratische Gleichung is a quadratic equation in one variable, typically solved by methods including the quadratic formula. The adjective appears in other mathematical contexts as well, such as quadratische Form (quadratic form) in linear algebra, or more generally polynomials of degree two in several variables.

Etymology: quadratisch comes from Quadrat, the German word for "square," augmented by the derivational suffix -isch. The term forms part of a family of shape- and degree-based adjectives built from nouns like Quadrat and from mathematical scales (linear, quadratisch, kubisch).