Algebra Vocabulary
Coefficient A coefficient is the numerical factor in a term. Example: in the term 4x, 4 is the coefficient. If the coefficient is not written, it is 1 Example: in the term d, 1 is the coefficient.
1. Circle the coefficient 3x 4y 5a 7b a 1
Variable A variable is a symbol (placeholder) used to represent an unknown number. Example: in the term 4x, x is the variable
2. Circle the variable 3x 4y 5a 7b a
Term A term is a number, variable, product or quotient in an expression of sums and/or differences. Terms are separated with a + or – sign. Examples: w 5 3w y/8
How many terms are there? 7x2 + 5x - 3 There are 3 terms!
3. Indicate the number of terms in each expression y/2 + 3 – 7 _____ 4d – 6 _____ 2 1 2 1 3 2
Inverse Operations Addition and _____________ are inverse operations Inverse operations are operations which undo each other. 4. Examples: Addition and _____________ are inverse operations Multiplication and _________ are inverse operations Subtraction Division
Expressions An expression can be a term or a collection of terms separated by addition or subtraction signs. Expressions do not include an equal sign! Examples : 2x + 1 3y
Equations An equation is a mathematical sentence stating that two expressions are equal. Example: 2x + 1 = 4 The expressions are equal to one another.
5. Expression or Equation? 4d – 6 3x = 6 3b a/6 y/2 + 3 = 7 Expression Equation Expression Expression Equation