Basic Algebra Terms

Front

What is an expression in algebra?

Back

An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators (such as + and -) that represents a value but does not have an equality sign.

Front

What are variables in an algebraic expression?

Back

Variables are symbols (usually letters) that represent unknown values in an expression or equation.

Front

What is a coefficient?

Back

A coefficient is a numerical factor that multiplies a variable in an algebraic expression.

Front

What is a constant in algebra?

Back

A constant is a fixed value that does not change, represented by a number in an expression.

Front

What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

Back

An expression does not have an equality sign, while an equation does.

Front

What does it mean to evaluate an expression?

Back

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

Front

What is a square root?

Back

A square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.

Front

What is a cube root?

Back

A cube root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number.

Front

What is a rational number?

Back

A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction, where both the numerator and denominator are integers.

Front

What is an irrational number?

Back

An irrational number cannot be expressed as a simple fraction; its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating.