Quick Algebra Review Units 0-I: Basic Concepts

literal number/variables

symbols representing an unknown value

equation

an algebraic statement with an equals sign

numerical factors

numbers multiplied together

coefficient

numerical and literal coefficients

Axioms of Equality

must do the same operation of both sides

Axiom

true state without proof, self evident

dividing by zero (x/0)

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commutative property (+/x)

order of numbers can change

associative property (+/x)

values are the same regardless of grouping

distributive property

a(b+c) = ab + ac

PEMDAS

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction

Algebraic expressions

an expression that contains at least one variable

When adding/subtracting or multiplying/dividing

do it from left to right

terms

separated by operation signs

evaluate expression

To replace the variable in an expression with a number and then solve it.

monomial

one term

multinomial

more than three terms

binomial

2 terms

polynomial

more than four terms

power

exponent answer

exponent format

base^exponent = power

like terms

Expressions that contain the same variables (literal coefficients) and same exponents

figures in parentheses are

treated as one quantity