Download Name: Date: Lesson 26 Part 1 Variable Expressions A variable is a

Name:
Date:
Lesson 26 Part 1
Variable Expressions
A variable is a _______________________________________________________________
The most commonly used variable is the letter x, although other letters or symbols can be used.
An expression is a______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
One example of a variable expression is
4xy3
This variable contains two variables: x and y. Both variables represent ____________________.
This expression also contains some "hidden" multiplication. If numbers or letters are written next
to each other without an operation sign, the operation is understood to be multiplication. So the
expression 4xy3 can be translated to the following words:
four times x times y to the third power 4×x×y3
Consider this expression:
-2x2 − 10
How could you write the expression in words? Write the words below.
Now you will reverse the process.
Sometimes you will have to translate words into an expression. For example, consider these
words: three times x plus 4. Here is the translation:
three times x → ____________
plus 4 → ________________
The expression is________________________
Name:
Date:
Lesson 26 Part 1
Got it? Now try some translations on your own. In the space below each set of words that
follows, write the equivalent mathematical expression.
a) six times y plus x to the fourth power
b) negative five minus x to the third power
c) x squared plus y
Monomials
Each expression has at least one term. A term is a ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
A term can have variables and numbers but can be connected only by multiplication. Addition,
subtraction, or division symbols indicate the end of one term and the start of another.
Look at the expression below.
2y + 3x
How many terms does it have? The expression contains two terms, each separated by an addition
sign.
2y is the ___________________
3x is the_____________________
How many terms does the following expression have?
12x3y2z
Did you recognize that there is only one term because there is only one operation, multiplication?
Good job.
Expressions that have only one term are called _____________________________________.
Name:
Date:
Lesson 26 Part 1
Example 1
Determine if each expression is a monomial. Circle yes or no and explain why or why not.
a) 6b4 ÷ 3a2
Explanation:
b) - 13xy3
Explanation: