<P> Because the quadratic equation involves only one unknown, it is called "univariate". The quadratic equation only contains powers of x that are non-negative integers, and therefore it is a polynomial equation, and in particular it is a second degree polynomial equation since the greatest power is two . </P> <P> Quadratic equations can be solved by a process known in American English as factoring and in other varieties of English as factorising, by completing the square, by using the quadratic formula, or by graphing . Solutions to problems equivalent to the quadratic equation were known as early as 2000 BC . </P> <P> A quadratic equation with real or complex coefficients has two solutions, called roots . These two solutions may or may not be distinct, and they may or may not be real . </P> <P> It may be possible to express a quadratic equation ax + bx + c = 0 as a product (px + q) (rx + s) = 0 . In some cases, it is possible, by simple inspection, to determine values of p, q, r, and s that make the two forms equivalent to one another . If the quadratic equation is written in the second form, then the "Zero Factor Property" states that the quadratic equation is satisfied if px + q = 0 or rx + s = 0 . Solving these two linear equations provides the roots of the quadratic . </P>

What is another word for the solution of a quadratic equation