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Algebra Vocabulary
2
Example: 4𝑥 3 + 3 𝑥 2 − 5 = 21
Component
Name
Definition/Description
4
Coefficient
The coefficient is the multiplier at the beginning of a term.
If absent, the implied multiplier is 1.
𝑥
Variable
A variable is a letter or symbol representing an unknown value.
3
Exponent
An exponent is a superscript indicating the number of times the
variable is multiplied by itself.
Term
A term is either a combination of coefficient, variable(s) and
exponents, or a constant.
+
Operator
An operator is an arithmetic operation between terms.
-5
Constant
A constant is a fixed number included in an expression.
Expression
An expression is a combination of terms and/or constants joined
by one or more operators.
Equation
An equation is two expressions joined by an equal sign.
4𝑥 3
2
4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 3
3
3𝑥 2 + 4 = 79
Operation
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Examples:
P
E
M, D
A, S
Translating Between Verbal and Algebraic Expressions
Verbal Phrase
more than, sum, plus, increased by, added to
Less than, subtracted from, difference, decreased by, minus
product of, multiplied by, times, of
quotient of, divided by, into, per
 3𝑥 4
Three times 𝑥 to the fourth power
2
 5𝑥 + 16 Five times 𝑥 squared plus sixteen
Order of Operations
Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside of grouping symbols, (…) and […],
working from innermost to outermost and left to right.
Note: A fraction bar is a grouping symbol; treat the numerator and denominator as
if each is enclosed in parentheses and separated by a division sign.
3
Exponents: Evaluate exponents and roots (e.g., 32 and √64),
from left to right.
Multiplication and Division: Perform multiplication and division operations
from left to right, NOT multiplication first, followed by division.
Addition and Subtraction: Perform addition and subtraction operations,
from left to right, NOT addition first, followed by subtraction.