The document discusses how many physics and mathematics formulas lead to second-degree equations. It provides an example of calculating the height, time, and maximum height of a stone thrown straight up in the air. Specifically, it shows:
1) If a stone is thrown up at 64 feet/second, it will be 48 feet high after 1 second.
2) It will take the stone 4 seconds to fall back to the ground.
3) The stone will reach its maximum height of 64 feet after 2 seconds.
Solving problems involving related factors that are multiplied leads to second-degree equations.