Term | Definition |
Algebra | The branch of mathematics where symbols or letters are used to represent numbers. |
Axis | One of the lines used to locate a point in a coordinate system. |
Coefficient | The number in front of an algebraic symbol, for example the 5 of 5x. |
Constant | A letter or symbol whose value always stays the same, π is a common example. |
Equation | Two expressions which have the same value, separated by an '=' sign, e.g. 3y = 9 + y. |
Expand | To multiply out brackets in an expression, for example, 2(3x + 7) = 6x + 14. |
Expression | A collection of terms which can contain variables (letters) and numbers, e.g. 4pq - q + 7. |
Factorise | To put an expression into brackets by taking out a common factor, for example, 20x + 15y = 5(4x + 3y). |
Formula | An equation used to describe a relationship between two or more variables. |
Gradient | How steep a line is, found by dividing the distance up by the distance across. |
Indices | Another name for powers such as ² or ³. |
Quadratic equation | An equation where the highest power is two, for example x² + 4x + 6 = 0. |
Sequence | A list of numbers which follows a pattern, for example 6, 11, 16, 21, ... |
Solve | To find the missing value in an equation. |
Term | A number, variable or combination of both which forms part of an expression. |
Variable | A letter which we don't know the value of. |
x-axis | The horizontal axis on a graph; the line going across the page. |
y-axis | The vertical axis on a graph; the line going from top to bottom. |
y-intercept | The value of the y-coordinate when a graph crosses the y-axis. |
z-axis | Represents the depth of an object when working with 3D coordinates. |
nth Term | A formula with 'n' in it which enables you to find any term of a sequence without having to go up from one term to the next. |