What is the degree of a quadratic function?

A quadratic function is characterized by its highest degree term, which is always squared (raised to the power of two). This means that in its standard form, a quadratic function can be expressed as ( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c ), where ( a ), ( b ), and ( c ) are constants and ( a \neq 0 ). In this expression, the term ( ax^2 ) is the dominant term that dictates the shape and properties of the graph of the function. Since the highest exponent in this function is 2, the degree of a quadratic function is indeed two.

Understanding the degree of a polynomial is essential as it influences various features of the graph, such as the number of roots it may have and its end behavior. In the case of quadratics, they can produce a parabolic shape that opens upwards or downwards, depending on the sign of the leading coefficient ( a ). Thus, the degree being two is fundamental to identifying the nature of quadratic functions.