Course 2 - Module 3 - Carnegie Math Glossary

Module 3 - Carnegie Math Course 2 Glossary

algebraic expression

A mathematical phrase that has at least one variable and can contain numbers and operations. There is no equal sign.

common factor

A number that is a factor of two or more numbers. Ex: 12 is a common factor of 36 and 48 because 12 goes into 36 and 48 evenly.

constraint

A condition that a solution or problem must satisfy.

equation

A mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. Equations MUST contain an equal sign

evaluate an algebraic expression

To determine the value of the expression for a given value of each variable. Substitute the given value into the expression for the variable and solve the expression.

greatest common factor (GCF)

The largest factor that two or more numbers have in common.

inequality

A mathematical sentence that includes an inequality symbol.

like terms

Terms in an algebraic expression that have the same variable raised to the same power. Ex: 2x and -9x are like terms. 8 and 14.5 are like terms.

linear expression

Any expression in which each term is either a constant or a product of a constant and a single variable raised to the first power. (No exponents other than 1)

literal equation

An equation in which the variables represent specific measures.

numeric coefficient

A number multiplied by a variable expression. Ex, in the term 3x, 3 is the numeric coefficient

properties of inequalities

Allow you to solve inequalities involving any numbers.

rate of change

Describes how much the dependent variable changes compared to the independent variable. (*Also called Slope or Constant of Proportionality in a proportional relationship)

solution

A value for the unknown variable that makes an equation true.

solution set

The set of all values that make an inequality or equation true.

solve an inequality

To determine the values of the variable that make the inequality true. (*You solve an inequality the same way you solve an equation)

two-step equation

An equation that requires two inverse operations to isolate the variable. (*Undo addition or subtraction FIRST, then undo multiplication or division)

unit rate of change

Describes how much the dependent variable changes for each unit change in the independent variable.

variable

A letter or symbol used to represent a number.