Expressions and Equations

Algebraic Expression and Equations Vocabulary

Match

In this equation:

• 3x and 4 are both

• • + is the

• 4 is a

• 3 is the

• x is the

Terms

Operation

Constant

Coefficient

Variable

• Terms

• Operation

• Constant

• Coefficient

• Variable

The party will cost


25x + 500

Algebraic expressions are math problems waiting for the last piece.

"My party is going to cost $25 per person, plus $500 for the venue, but I don't know how many people are coming."

Algebraic Expressions

An algebraic equation has an equal sign and an answer, but a number in the middle is missing.

Algebraic Equations

Expression

If there is + or - but no equal sign,

it is an expression!

3x + 5

Equations

=

If it has an equal sign,

it is an equation!

3x + 5 = 17

Categorize

Options (8)

2x + 7

5x - 4

3/m + 2.5

7y + 16

x +2=10

−15 + n = −9

21 = −7n

−143 = −11x

Sort these math sentences into expressions and equations

Expression

Equation

Operations and Terms

Part of an expression separated by operations

Term

Addition and subtraction

(+ and -)

in an expression or equation

Operation

Terms

If there is a + or - sign in between,

it is a term

3x + 11 - 7y

Multiple Choice

How many terms are in the expression
3x + 2y + z

• 5
• 2
• 4
• 3

Multiple Choice

How many terms are in the expression
3a + 2b + c + 100

• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6

A term with an unknown value

The "missing" or "mystery" number

Usually represented by a letter

Variable

A term with a known value

AKA (Also Known As)

A plain number

Constant

Constant and Variable

"three times the missing number x"

"three groups of the missing number x"

"x + x + x"

3x means:

A multiplier of a variable, written as a number next to a variable like this: 3x

Coefficient

Constant

A number BY ITSELF

is a constant

23

Constant

A number BY ITSELF

is a constant

23

Variable

If it is a letter,

then it is a variable

x, y, z

Coefficient

If it is a number next to a letter,

it is a coefficient

3x

Multiple Choice

In the expression 3x + 8, what is the coefficient?

• 8

• 3

• x

Multiple Choice

In the expression 9x + 4, what is the variable?

• 9

• x

• 4

Multiple Choice

In the expression

3x + 7 + y + 32,

what are the constants?

• x and y

• 7 and 32

• 3, 7 and 32

Vocabulary Recap

• Algebraic Expression: number sentence with an unknown number

• Equation: number sentence with an equals sign

• Operation: addition and subtraction in an equation

• Term: part of an expression; separated by operations

• Constant: term with a known value; a plain number

• Variable: term with an unknown value; usually a letter

• Coefficient: multiplier of a variable. number with a variable