Google Celebrates the Quadratic Equation with an Animated Doodle
In India, Google is welcoming users with an animated doodle that prominently showcases one of the most renowned mathematical formulas: ax² + bx + c = 0.
This engaging visual not only serves as a celebration of the equation itself but also illustrates its extensive applications in various disciplines, including engineering, economics, and physics.
The quadratic equation ranks among the most frequently searched mathematical expressions online.
The origins of the quadratic equation stretch back centuries, with early mathematicians from Babylon, Egypt, and India contributing to its development.
Notably, the Indian mathematician Brahmagupta elaborated on methods for solving such equations in the 7th century, marking a significant progression in mathematical thought.
Google elaborated on the doodle’s significance, stating, This Doodle features the quadratic equation, a mathematical tool that has a number of useful applications across physics, engineering, business, and much more.
The quadratic equation is most often used in physics to calculate real-world motion. If you’ve ever watched a basketball arc toward the hoop, you’ve seen the quadratic equation in action.
Upon clicking the doodle, users are directed to Google’s Gemini AI mode, which presents an intriguing prompt: “My maths homework says that a basketball player’s shot follows a parabola. How does the quadratic equation fit in here? Can you walk me through it?”
In response, Google AI articulates the relationship: The quadratic equation fits the basketball shot because the path of the ball, influenced by gravity, is a parabola.
The equation (y = ax² + bx + c) models this trajectory, where (y) represents height, (x) denotes horizontal distance, and the coefficients (a, b, and c) indicate the effects of gravity, initial upward velocity, and starting height, respectively.
Why is Google Commemorating the Quadratic Equation Today?
Today’s doodle serves dual purposes: it celebrates the significance of the quadratic equation in STEM and highlights its far-reaching practical applications across physics, engineering, and economics.
Furthermore, in light of the approaching “back-to-school” season, it seeks to provide an interactive and engaging format for students to understand a fundamental mathematical concept and appreciate its relevance in real-world scenarios.
This doodle builds upon an earlier version that debuted in the United States in September and is now rolling out to various regions, including India, on November 12th.
Google’s ‘Learning the Quadratic Equation’ Doodle
The ‘Learning the Quadratic Equation’ doodle was initially launched on September 8 in the U.S. to coincide with the commencement of the academic year.
Subsequently, its reach has expanded to countries including the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and multiple Middle Eastern nations.
The inception of Google Doodles dates back to 1998, when co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin used it to signify their absence from the Burning Man festival. By 2000, the first international doodle was introduced to commemorate France’s Bastille Day.
A decade later, on May 21, 2010, the tech giant launched its first interactive game doodle, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the classic game Pac-Man.
Source link: Wionews.com.
