Algebra Vocabulary

What is a variable in algebraic expressions?

• A letter or symbol representing an unknown number or quantity.

• A number in an expression that does not change its value.

• The number multiplied by a variable in an algebraic term.

• A single number, variable, or the product of numbers and variables.

Which of the following is an example of a constant?

• The '7' in the algebraic phrase '2y - 7'.

• The '3' in the expression '3x + 5'.

• The '9' in '9a'.

• The '4' in '4m'.

What does it mean to simplify an expression?

• To rewrite an expression in its shortest and most efficient form.

• To find the numerical value of an expression by substituting values for variables.

• To multiply a factor outside parentheses by each term inside.

• To replace a variable with a specific numerical value.

What is the distributive property?

• Using the distributive property, 2(a + 5) becomes 2a + 10.

• The order of addition doesn't change the sum.

• Terms that have the same variable(s) raised to the same power(s).

• A mathematical action like addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

Which of the following are like terms?

• '7y' and '-3y'

• '4m' and '11'

• '2p' and '6'

• '9a' and '3b'

Match the following

• symbol representing a value

• equation

• fixed number value

• constant

• mathematical statement with an =

• expression

• mathematical phrase without an =

• variable

Match the following

• Replacing a variable with a number.

• Substitute

• The value(s) that make an equation true.

• Evaluate

• Rewrite in its most efficient form.

• Simplify

• Find a value through substitution.

• Solution

• term

• -1

• variable

• n

• coefficient

• 7

• constant

• 7n

Coefficient - The number ________ by a variable in an algebraic term.

To evaluate an expression, we often ________ given numbers for the variables.