ALGEBR

A
 THE
LANGUAGE OF
ALGEBRA
Variable (pronumeral)
■Letters used to represent
numbers
■E.g: x, y
Expression
■A combination of numbers and
variables combined with mathematical
operations
■E.g. 3x+y
■8y+x-9
Term
■A part of an expression with
only variables, numbers,
multiplication and division
■E.g. 3x
■2y
Coefficient
■ Number in front of a variable (x, y).
■ If the term is being subtracted, the coefficient is a
negative number E.g. -5x
■ If there is no number in front, the coefficient is 1 E.g.
x, the coefficient of x is 1
■ E.g. 3x+y
■ The coefficient of x is 3, the coefficient of y is 1
Constant
■A term that does not
contain any variables
(a number by itself)
■ Variable (pronumerals): letters used to represent numbers E.g x,y
■ Expression: a combination of numbers and variables combined
with mathematical operations E.g. 3x+y, 8y+x-9
■ Term: a part of an expression with only variables, numbers,
multiplication and division
■ Coefficient: the number in front of a variable. Coefficient can be a
negative number. If there is no number in front of the variable, the
coefficient is 1
 E.g. 3x+y, the coefficient of x is 3, the coefficient of y is 1
■ Constant: a term that does not contain any variables (a number by
itself)