Lill's method for the graphic resolution of a second-degree equation with real roots (Q6561758)

This short note depicts the quadratic case of the well-known Lill's geometric method for finding real roots of univariate polynomials. In particular, the method is applied to \(x^2-ax-b\) with nonzero \(a\) and \(b\), showing diagrams of all four combinations of signs. A proof based on similarity of triangles is given. The construction of the polygon from the equation is not shown in a systematic way that would allow the reader to generalize it to any degree.