Voc. Topic 2

Voc. Topic 2

Expression

• contains variables, numbers and at least one or more operation

• Ex. 3a+2b-4

Term

• portions of an expression separated by operations

• Ex. 3 terms in 3a+2b-4

Variable

• letters that represent unknown numbers in an expression

• Ex. a and b are variables for 3a+2b-4

Coefficient

• the number in front of the variable

• 1 is Always understood to be in front of a variable if there isn't one shown

• Ex. 3a+b-c-4

• a has coefficient of 3, 1 is b and -1 is c

Constant

• a number with a value that is always the same

• Ex. 3a+2b- 4, the -4 is the constant

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Like-Term

• the terms with the same letter and/or constants in the expression

• Ex. 3a- 4 + 2a + 5(3a and 2a are like terms; -4 and 5 are like terms

Combine like-terms

• performing the addition or subtraction for terms with same variables and/or constants

• Ex. 3a - 4 + 2a + 5 is (3a+2a=5a and -4 +5= 1

• 3a+ 2a -4 + 5 simplifies to 5a +1