Quadratic Equations are algebraic entities containing an "x" value raised to the second power, and an equality to an expression:



The different names for the parts of the equation are shown. You must pay particular attention to the signs, especially those of the linear coefficient and the constant. The sign of the quadratic coefficient will be shown if it is negative, but as it is the "lead term" in the equation a positive value for the quadratic coefficient is assumed unless shown otherwise.

Although quadratic equations are normally shown in this manner, there does not have to be a linear term, and indeed the equality does not necessarily have to be to 0.