Remember struggling through that tricky maths formula with x², b², and a square root sign? Well, Google does too. Today’s Doodle celebrates the quadratic equation, the classic bit of algebra that still finds its way into modern science, tech, and even sports.

Why is Google celebrating the quadratic equation?

On Wednesday, 12 November, Google decided to shine a spotlight on this classic mathematical formula that has quietly shaped much of modern science and technology. From building bridges and designing machinery to solving tricky economic models, the quadratic equation has played a surprisingly important role in the world around us.

This isn’t the first time Google has shown its affection for maths, either. The Doodle, called “Learning the Quadratic Equation”, first appeared in the US and UK on 8 September and is now being rolled out across Europe and other regions.

The formula is one of the most searched mathematical equations online and finds use in engineering, economics and even physics like calculating the perfect arc of a basketball shot.

According to Google, the Doodle highlights how the quadratic equation has a wide range of practical uses, from physics and engineering to business and beyond. The company explained that the equation often helps scientists and engineers calculate motion in the real world, for instance, every time you watch a basketball fly smoothly towards the hoop, you’re actually witnessing the quadratic equation at work.

When users click on the Doodle, they’re taken to Google’s Gemini AI mode, which opens with a prompt asking how the quadratic equation applies to a basketball player’s parabolic shot.

What exactly is a quadratic equation?

A quadratic equation is simply a second-degree polynomial in one variable, written in the standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b and c are constants, and a cannot be zero. The goal is to find the values of x, known as roots or solutions, that make the equation true.

There are several ways to solve a quadratic equation, including factoring, completing the square, or using the quadratic formula, which is written as

x = (-b ± √(b² – 4ac)) / 2a.

The number and type of solutions (real or complex) depend on the discriminant, that is the part under the square root.

Interestingly, Google’s Doodle on the quadratic equation comes just in time for academic season, as many schools and universities across the world cover or revise this topic in October and November. This often leads to a noticeable spike in online searches about how to solve quadratic equations.

What’s the story behind Google doodles?

A Google Doodle is a themed illustration or animation that replaces the usual Google logo on its homepage to mark special occasions. Over the years, Google has used these Doodles to celebrate everything from historic figures and scientific breakthroughs to festivals and global events.

The very first Doodle appeared in 1998, when Google’s co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin used a playful sketch to let users know they’d be away attending the Burning Man festival.

By 2000, Google launched its first international Doodle to celebrate Bastille Day in France. A decade later, on 21 May 2010, it unveiled its first interactive Doodle, a playable version of the arcade classic Pac-Man, marking the game’s 30th anniversary.