Any single-variable quadratic polynomial may be written as
:<math>ax^2 + bx + c,</math>
where ''x'' is the variable, and ''a'', ''b'', and ''c'' represent the [[coefficient]]s. In [[elementary algebra]], suchSuch polynomials often arise in the form of a [[quadratic equation]] <math>ax^2 + bx + c = 0.</math>. The solutions to this equation are called the [[Root of a function|roots]] of the quadratic polynomial, and maycan be foundexpressed throughin [[factorization]], [[completing the square]], [[Graphterms of a function|graphing]], [[Newton's method]], or through the usecoefficients ofas the [[quadratic formula]]. Each quadratic polynomial has an associated quadratic function, whose [[graph of a function|graph]] is a [[parabola]].
