265 Quadratic

A polynomial of degree two that is homogeneous of degree two that is used to express quadratic size and energy-type expressions in several variables.

definition [d] (Quadratic Form) A homogeneous polynomial of degree \(2\) in several variables.

where

  • the polynomial is homogeneous of degree \(2\).
  • the variables are the coordinates on the underlying vector space.

Note:

  • quadratic integrability concerns the power \(2\) in \(|f|^{2}\), not this algebraic form.

265.1 Elementary Example

265.1.1 Simple

A quadratic form is a homogeneous polynomial of degree \(2\).

\[ q(x,y) = x^{2} + xy + y^{2} \]

\[ q(tx,ty) = t^{2} q(x,y) \]

where

  • \(q\) is the quadratic form.
  • \(x, y\) are the variables.

265.1.2 General

In three variables, a quadratic form is determined by a symmetric \(3 \times 3\) matrix.

\[ q(x) = x^{T} A x,\quad A = \begin{pmatrix} 2 & 1 & 0 \\ 1 & 3 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 & 4 \end{pmatrix} \]

\[ q(x_{1},x_{2},x_{3}) = 2 x_{1}^{2} + 3 x_{2}^{2} + 4 x_{3}^{2} + 2 x_{1} x_{2} + 2 x_{2} x_{3} \]

where

  • \(A\) is a symmetric matrix.
  • \(x\) is a column vector of variables.