Algebraic Expressions and Equations

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What is an algebraic expression?

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

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What is a variable in algebra?

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

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What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

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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.

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What does it mean to simplify an algebraic expression?

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

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What are like terms?

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

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How do you solve a linear equation?

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To solve a linear equation, isolate the variable on one side of the equation using inverse operations. For example, to solve 2x + 3 = 7, subtract 3 from both sides and then divide by 2.

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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 each term inside a parentheses.

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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 4x, 4 is the coefficient of x.

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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 3x + 5, the number 5 is a constant.

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What is the process of factoring an expression?

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Factoring an expression involves rewriting it as a product of its factors. For example, x^2 - 9 can be factored as (x - 3)(x + 3).