Algebraic Expressions

Front

What is an algebraic expression?

Back

An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that can include numbers, variables, and operation symbols. For example, 3x + 5 is an algebraic expression.

Front

What is a variable in algebra?

Back

A variable is a symbol, often a letter, that represents an unknown value. For example, in the expression 2x + 3, 'x' is a variable.

Front

What is a constant in algebra?

Back

A constant is a fixed value that does not change. For example, in the expression 5x + 7, the number 7 is a constant.

Front

What is a coefficient?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term of an algebraic expression. For example, in 4x, the number 4 is the coefficient.

Front

How do you evaluate an algebraic expression?

Back

To evaluate an algebraic expression, substitute the values of the variables into the expression and perform the operations. For example, to evaluate 2x + 3 for x = 2, substitute 2 for x: 2(2) + 3 = 7.

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

Simplifying an expression means to combine like terms and reduce it to its simplest form. For example, 3x + 2x simplifies to 5x.

Front

What are like terms?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms, while 3x and 4y are not.

Front

What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

Back

An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operations without an equality sign, while an equation states that two expressions are equal, using an equality sign.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parentheses.

Front

What is the result of combining the like terms 5a + 3a?

Back

The result is 8a.