1. Algebra basics

2. You are familiar with the following type of numerical expressions:
3 (12)
6 ( )
(6)

3. Algebraic Expressions
When variables are used with other numbers, brackets, or operations, they create an algebraic expression.
a + 2
(a) (b)
3m + 6n - 6
4m2n + 7mn - 6

4. What is a variable?
A variable is an alphabet that represents an unknown value. b
Few more examples:
Expression
Constants
Variable
Algebraic expressions
Variable
13mn-7 mn
2x2-4x+9
x2,x
12k2x-3k-8
k2x, k

5. What are constants? 5x +7y -2
A constant is a number that cannot change its value.
Expression
5x +7y -2
5, , are the Constants
Few more examples:
Algebraic expressions
Constants
Variable
13mn-7 mn
13 , - 7
2x2-4x + 9
2,-4 , 9
x2,x
12k2x-3k-8
12 , -3, -8
k2x , k

6. What is a term?
A term is a constant or a variable or a product of constant and one or more variables.
Expressions a
Term 1
Term 2
Algebraic expressions
Term
3m + 6n -6
3m, 6n,-6
4m2n, 7mn , -5
4m2n + 7mn - 5

7. Try these
1. Write the variables, constants and terms from the given expressions
4x2 – 3x + 7
3xy2 + 4x + 3y
11y3 – 7y2 + 5y – 10
2. Identify the term that contains m?
11m2 – 4m + 9
3mn2 – 3mn - 8