algebraic vocabulary

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What is a constant in algebra?

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A constant is a fixed value that does not change. For example, in the expression 8x + 5, the number 5 is a constant.

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What is a variable in algebra?

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

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What is an algebraic expression?

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An algebraic expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operations. For example, 4x^2 + 6x + 12 is an algebraic expression.

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What is a coefficient?

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A coefficient is a numerical factor in a term of an algebraic expression. For example, in 5x, the number 5 is the coefficient.

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What is an equation?

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An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. For example, 3r + 2 = 35 is an equation.

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What does it mean to solve an equation?

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To solve an equation means to find the value of the variable that makes the equation true.

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What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

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An expression does not have an equality sign and cannot be solved, while an equation has an equality sign and can be solved.

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What are like terms?

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Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, 3x and 5x are like terms.

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What is the distributive property?

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The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

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What is a term in algebra?

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A term is a single mathematical expression that can be a number, a variable, or a combination of both multiplied together. For example, 4x and 7 are both terms.