Term | Definition |
inequality | Consists of two expressions on either side of an inequality symbol. |
Distributive Property | For any a, b, and c, a(b + c) = ab + ac . For example, 10( 7 + 2) = 10 · 7 + 10 · 2. |
combining like terms | Simplifies an expression by summing constants and summing those variable terms in which the same variables are raised to the same power. For example, combining like terms in the expression 3x + 7 + 5x − 3 gives 8x + 4. |
constant | A symbol representing a value that does not change. For example, in the equation y = 2x + 5 , it is the number 5. |
coefficient | A number multiplying a variable or product of variables. For example, in −7x it is -7. |
variable | A symbol used to represent one or more numbers. In this course, letters of the English alphabet are used. |
term | A single number, variable, or the product of numbers and variables, such as –45, 1.2x, and 3xy2. |
expression | A combination of individual terms separated by plus or minus signs. For example, if each of the following , 6xy, 24, and 3y, are combined into an expression, the result may be 6xy + 24 - 3y. This type of combination does not have an “equals” sign. |
solution | The number or numbers that when substituted into an equation or inequality make the equation or inequality true. |
equation | A mathematical sentence in which two expressions appear on either side of an “equals” sign (=), stating that the two expressions are equivalent. |
product | The result of multiplying. |
quotient | The result of a division problem |
sum | The result of adding |
difference | The result of subtracting |
inequality symbols | The symbol ≤ read from left to right means “less than or equal to,” the symbol ≥ read from left to right means “greater than or equal to,” and the symbols < and > mean “less than” and “greater than,” respectively. |