Algebra Basics Flashcards

Algebra Basics

• Absolute Value
  Represents the distance from a number to zero on the number line. Denoted as |n|, it is always a positive value.

• Binomial
  An algebraic expression that consists of the sum of two distinct terms (e.g., 4x + x³).

• Coefficient
  The numerical factor in a term that comes before a variable, such as in 2x, where 2 is the coefficient.

• Distributive Property
  A rule for multiplying a number by an expression in parentheses (e.g., 2(x+y)), which involves multiplying each term inside the parentheses by the term outside.

• Evaluate
  The process of finding the value of an expression or solving an equation.

• Exponent
  A number indicating the power to which a base is raised, showing how many times the base is multiplied by itself.

• Factor
  As a noun, it refers to a number that divides another number evenly. As a verb, it refers to expressing a number or algebraic expression as a product of two or more terms.

• FOIL Method
  An acronym for First, Inner, Outer, Last, describing the order of operations when multiplying two binomials, allowing for the combination of unlike terms.

• Like Terms
  Terms that share the same variable raised to the same power, allowing them to be combined in expressions.

• Order of Operations
  The rule that determines the sequence in which operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) are performed in an expression.

• PEMDAS
  An acronym representing the Order of Operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.

• Place Value
  Represents the numerical value a digit holds based on its position within a number (e.g., in 35.6, 3 is in the tens place and equals 30).

• Polynomials
  Algebraic expressions composed of multiple terms, which can include like or unlike terms.

• Power
  Refers to the product of identical factors.

• Scientific Notation
  A way of expressing numbers as 10^n, convenient for representing very large or small numbers. The exponent indicates how many decimal places to move.

• Simplify an Expression
  The act of performing all possible operations within an expression to condense it into its simplest form.

• Square Root
  A value that, when multiplied by itself, yields a specified quantity (e.g., the square root of 49 is 7).

• Term
  Can be a number, variable, or the product/quotient of numbers and variables (e.g., 2, x, or 2x).

• Unknown or Variable
  A letter or symbol that represents a solution to an equation.