Algebra Vocabulary Vocabulary book

Variable Coefficient Term Constant Numerical Expression Algebraic Expression Equation Inequality Base Exponent

Variable Definition: A letter that can be replaced by a number. Example: 4x (x is the variable) *root word ‘vary’ means different

Coefficient Definition: A number multiplied by a variable or variables. Example: 4x (4 is the coefficient) *prefix ‘co’ means together (think of co-worker)

Term Definition: Numbers or variables separated by + or – signs. Example: 5x + x – 2 terms 2

Constant Definition: A term that does not have a variable. Example: 5x + 2y + 4 constant *constant means remains the same (no variable gets multiplied)

Numerical Expression Definition: Two or more terms using only constants. Example: – 5 *root word ‘number’ (only numbers) 3

Algebraic Expression Definition: Two or more terms that include one or more variables. Example: 2x + 5 – 7 *root word ‘algebra’ (has at least 1 variable) 2

Equation Definition: Two algebraic expressions connected by an equal sign. Example: 4x = 8 *root word ‘equal’ hence equal sign

Inequality Definition: Two algebraic expressions connected with one of these signs: ≠, ≤, ≥, ˂, ˃. Example: 7x ˂ 30 or x ≠ 6 *prefix ‘in’ means not, hence not equal

Base Definition: The number used as a factor. Example: 6 base 3

Exponent Definition: The number of times the base is multiplied by itself. Example: 6 exponent 3