Flashcard - Expressions MM

Front

What is an expression in mathematics?

Back

An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators (such as +, -, *, /) that represents a value.

Front

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

Back

To simplify an expression means to reduce it to its simplest form by combining like terms and performing operations.

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.

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 parenthesis.

Front

How do you solve for a variable in an equation?

Back

To solve for a variable, isolate the variable on one side of the equation using inverse operations.

Front

What is a coefficient?

Back

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

Front

What is a constant in an expression?

Back

A constant is a fixed value that does not change. For example, in the expression 3x + 5, 5 is a constant.

Front

What does it mean to evaluate an expression?

Back

To evaluate an expression means to calculate its value by substituting the variables with specific numbers.

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is an expression that consists of variables raised to whole number powers and coefficients, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Front

What is the difference between an equation and an expression?

Back

An equation states that two expressions are equal, while an expression does not include an equality sign.