There I was in the pub, explaining the formula (X=-b +/- Sq Rt b sq - 4ac all over 2a) and she said, what use is that to anyone in the real world. So. Any ideas? Cheers, Steve.
2006-11-22 10:17:38 · 16 answers · asked by shrushgb 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Projectile trajectories. Stopping distance for braking. Forces on a wing, ...
Check this out:
http://plus.maths.org/issue30/features/quadratic/index-gifd.html
Btw, I like to try to describe math and physics in bars too.
2006-11-22 10:22:13 · answer #1 · answered by modulo_function 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The practical use of a quadratic equation would be the predictive power for deciding the time factor. For instance if you know the acceleration and distance of a ball thrown but you do not know the time, or the acceleration or distance of a long drive through the mountains and want to find out how long it will take with the physics formula: y=y(start)+vt+(1/2)at^2 when time is unknown in this equation you can solve for it using the quadratic equation, however the positive answer is allways the correct one because in newtonian physics their is no such thing as negative time.
2006-11-22 10:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One is finance - it would be used to solve investment models over two periods of time. X represents one period of interest, x^2 represents two periods of interest. Of course, the quadratic is a step to more complicated (and more common) financial equations.
But the real reason is completely unrelated to it's direct use. Quadratic equations exercise a students thinking skills. It is one of the best ways to develop skills like testing different methods (distinguishing between an easy "difference of squares" and an equation where factoring doesn't work and you have to use the quad. formula) and solving problems with multiple steps.
Lifting weights at the gym is a waste of time, until you help a friend lift his new sofa into your truck. This type of problem stretches and builds your brain's ability to do complicated, multi-step problems without "seeing the answer first".
2006-11-22 11:48:23 · answer #3 · answered by Polymath 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you've been told by other answers, no. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle comes from being able to calculate the position OR the momentum of a sub-atomic particle, but not both at the same time. The two answers you get from a Quadratic are both definitive answers, and really don't have much to do with the movement of subatomic particles.
2016-03-29 06:02:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Applied mathematics = physics. If you toss a ball in the air at a certain speed, you can work out precisely how long it will take to reach the highest point, when it will hit the ground again, etc etc, by solving quadratic equations. There are numerous more examples in everyday physics (I'm sure people who build bridges use it all the time!)
2006-11-22 10:22:26 · answer #5 · answered by stephen m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not directly, but it does show that those of us who can understand it are smarter than the average bear.
Which is pretty useful in the real world when youre after a paypacket.
2006-11-22 10:25:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math Homework.
2006-11-22 10:27:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes designing suspension bridge, auto head lights, radar antenna.Dish antenna for tv. trajectories of artillery shells just to name a few.
2006-11-22 13:24:16 · answer #8 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And of course the first step to understanding polynomials which are much more widely used.
2006-11-22 18:42:34 · answer #9 · answered by crazy_tentacle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use them for figuing out the odds of winning various lottery prizes. Really I do, no fooling.
2006-11-22 12:18:02 · answer #10 · answered by Sciencenut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋