Solving quadratic equations is just plugging numbers into the two versions of the quadratic formula.

I can understand forgetting the quadratic formula, but the idea is taught to every school student who takes algebra.

Serious question: why? If I understand OP correctly, it's a 1 line math equation which is provided if necessary and you just need to turn into some useable interface?

I don’t understand. The simple formula is provided, all they’re expected to do is to

- figure out what parameters should look like

- detect edge cases (e.g. division by zero when a==0 or sqrt of negative value)

- and discuss its usage (how to return 0, 1, 2 roots and how you signal it to the caller so it’s convenient)

And this is not a silent-wait quiz. When they seem confused I ask directly what it would return if `a` is zero. Or tell that a, b and c are parameters to such equation.

Anyway, maybe it’s sort of a TIL moment and I should stick more to fizzbuzz with periods changed or to string reversal.

But I feel confused about it as hell.

I dive into math occasionally when working on animation and (real) crypto, and then forget about it when I go back to whatever I'm working on.

Actually looking up the formula for the first time in 20 years it's readable (i.e. doesn't use symbols I don't already know) so yes I'd be able to solve it. That's not guaranteed with every formula though.

Agreed, you can be absolutely horrible at math and be a fantastic programmer. I always found math easy in school but 5+ years later if someone asked me to write a quadratic function solving function I’d have no idea what that even means. Presumably with a guide I could write the code, but that’s so far removed from the type of work I do day to day

Thank you. A lot of the questions in this thread have me seriously doubting myself.

even with the quadratic equation provided?!