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Algebra Vocabulary
Vocabulary book
Variable
Coefficient
Term
Constant
Numerical Expression
Algebraic Expression
Equation
Inequality
Base
Exponent
Variable
Definition:
A letter that can be
replaced by a number.
Example:
4x (x is the variable)
*root word ‘vary’ means
different
Coefficient
Definition:
A number multiplied by a
variable or variables.
Example:
4x (4 is the coefficient)
*prefix ‘co’ means
together
(think of co-worker)
Term
Definition:
Numbers or variables
separated by + or –
signs.
Example:
2
5x + x – 2
terms
Constant
Definition:
A term that does not have
a variable.
Example:
5x + 2y + 4
constant
*constant means remains
the same (no variable
gets multiplied)
Numerical Expression
Definition:
Two or more terms using
only constants.
Example:
3
2 + 3–5
*root word ‘number’
(only numbers)
Algebraic Expression
Definition:
Two or more terms that
include one or more
variables.
Example:
2
2x + 5 – 7
*root word ‘algebra’
(has at least 1 variable)
Equation
Definition:
Two algebraic expressions
connected by an equal
sign.
Example:
4x = 8
*root word ‘equal’ hence
equal sign
Inequality
Definition:
Two algebraic expressions
connected with one of
these signs: ≠, ≤, ≥, ˂, ˃.
Example:
7x ˂ 30 or x ≠ 6
*prefix ‘in’ means not,
hence not equal
Base
Definition:
The number used as a
factor.
Example:
3
6
base
Exponent
Definition:
The number of times the
base is multiplied by
itself.
Example:
3
6
exponent