Provide a unique real world example where quadratic equations might be used.

Question

jamesj · Answer

Building a radio to tune into a particular frequency. This requires quadratic equations.

anonymous · Answer

Can you think of anything else please? (:

jamesj · Answer

why, is that example not good enough?

anonymous · Answer

No! It's good, I need more than one

jamesj · Answer

do you have one?

anonymous · Answer

Do I have one?

jamesj · Answer

Yes, do you know any examples yourself?

anonymous · Answer

No, Thats why I asked it

jamesj · Answer

Here's one that comes up all the time in basic physics: calculating the trajectory of a bullet/cannon ball/tennis ball.

anonymous · Answer

Im not in Physics, do you know one a little more simpler?

jamesj · Answer

crumble up a piece of paper.  Throw it up in air.  The path which it traces out is a parabola. That is described and solved with quadratic equations.

That's very simple!

anonymous · Answer

Thats perfect! Thank you so much!

jamesj · Answer

for the record, that is exactly the same problem as a tennis ball or a bullet from a gun.

anonymous · Answer

What?

jamesj · Answer

It turns out the physics and the equations for the piece of crumbled up paper are the same as those we use for a tennis ball or a bullet from a gun or a cannon ball fired from a canon.

anonymous · Answer

But you used simpler words

jamesj · Answer

yes, but just to let you know it behaves the same way.

anonymous · Answer

Ok, well thanks for all your help!