Algebra Basics: Order of Operations, Exponents, and Expressions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on order of operations, exponents, and algebraic expressions.

Order of operations

The rules to evaluate an expression: parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division from left to right, and addition/subtraction from left to right.

Parentheses

Grouping symbols used to indicate parts of an expression to be evaluated first.

Exponent

the number that shows how many times the base is used as a factor/ multiplied by itself

Base

the number that is used as a factor

Power

result of repeated multiplication of the same factor

Factor

A number or variable that multiplies with another to form a product.

Expression

A mathematical phrase with numbers, variables, and operations; may not include an equals sign.

Term

A part of an expression that are added together

Coefficient

when a number and variable are multiplied together the number is the coefficient

Variable

A symbol (such as x or y) that represents an unknown value.

Constant

A number that does not have a variable with it

Translation (verbal phrases to algebra)

The process of turning words like add, minus, times, and divided by into algebraic symbols (e.g., 'sum' → +, 'product' → ×).

Left-to-right rule

For operations of the same precedence, evaluate from left to right.

Fraction

A number written as a/b, where a is the numerator and b is the denominator.

Decimal

A number expressed with a decimal point.

Zero exponent rule

Any number raised to the 0th power equals 1.