Download Algebra Vocab variables substitute

Math Vocabulary
Algebra
The area of mathematics where letters
(like x or y) or other symbols are used to
represent unknown numbers.
Example: in x - 5 = 2, x is unknown.
4x – 7y + 11
Expression - Numbers, symbols and
operators (such as + and ×) grouped
together that show the value of
something.
Expressions do not have equal signs.
4x - 7y + 11
Term - In Algebra a term is
either a single number or a
variable, or numbers and
variables multiplied together.
Q1. List the terms from the
example above?
4x -7y + 2x -11
Like Terms – two or more terms that have
the same variables. They can be
combined or simplified.
Unlike Terms – two or more terms that do
NOT have the same variables. They
cannot be simplified.
Q2. What are the like terms above?
4x - 7y + 11
Variable - A symbol for a number we don't
know yet. It is usually a letter like x or y.
Example: in x + 2 = 6, x is the variable
If it is not a variable it is called a Constant.
Q3. How many different variables are in the
above expression?
4x - 7y + 11
Constant - In Algebra, a constant is a
number on its own, or sometimes a letter
such as a, b or c to stand for a fixed
number. A fixed value.
Example: in x + 5 = 9, 5 and 9 are constants
If it is not a constant it is called a variable.
4x - 7y + 11
Coefficient - A number used to multiply a
variable.
Example: 4x means 4 times x (multiply me!),
and x is a variable, so 4 is a coefficient.
Q4. What is the coefficient of y in the above
expression?
4x - 7y + 11
Operator - a symbol (such as +, ×, etc) that
represents an operation (i.e. you want to
do something with the values).
Q5. Is the second term a negative 7 or
minus 7?
4x - 7 = 5
Equation - An equation says that two things
are the same, using mathematical
symbols.
An equal sign (=) is used
Example: 7+2 = 10-1
Why does this symbolize an
equation?
Describe the Variable
Expression
Variable
Expression
Meaning
Operation
8y, 8 y,

(8)(y)
8 times y
Multiplication
16 , 16  b
b
16 divided by Division
b
4+s
4 plus s
Addition
9-x
9 minus x
Subtraction
Substitute and Solve
Solve these equations if n = 4
3+n=?
3+4=7
5(4) + 5 =
5n + 5 = ?
20/n = ?
20 + 5 = 25
20/4 = 5
Evaluate each expression
y=2
Expression
5y
10
y
y+6
14 - y
Substitute
Simplify