Introduction to Algebra – Definitions
Algebra is using mathematical operations to solve unknown values or variables.
Term: a single number or group of numbers and pronumerals separated by a plus or minus sign
Expression: a combination of mathematical terms and operators.
Equation: two mathematical expressions separated by an equals sign
Pronumeral: a letter used to represent a number in a problem
Coefficient: a constant number placed before a pronumeral. The coefficient term is multiplied by the pronumeral.
Index/Power/Exponent: each of these words means the same thing in mathematics. It is written above and to the
right of another term and shows how many times to multiply that term by itself.
Index/Power/Exponent – this
means x multiplied by itself
2x
3
three times or x × x × x
Term – the combination or all of Pronumeral – this is the
the above 3 unknown number
2x
2
4 x +2 x +16
Expression – a set of terms
Equation – expressions
separated by an equals sign
2
4 x +2 x +16=2 x +8