Algebra Review: Expressions, Inequalities, Integers, and Ratios

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering expressions, inequalities, integers, and proportions.

Algebraic Expression

A math phrase containing variables, constants, and operations.

Variable

A letter that represents an unknown value, such as $x$ or $y$.

Constant

A number by itself, such as $36$, $19$, or $-4$.

Term

Each part of an expression, connected by addition or subtraction signs.

Coefficient

The number that is being multiplied with the variable; if no number is shown, the coefficient is $1$.

Like Terms

Terms with the same exact variable, raised to the same power.

KCC

An acronym for Keep Change Change, used with subtraction signs to ensure negative coefficients are identified.

Distributive Property

The rule of multiplying the number outside the parentheses by each term inside of the parentheses, such as $a(b - c) = ab - ac$.

Inequality

A mathematical state indicating that two values are not equal, containing symbols such as $<$, $>$, $\neq$, $\frac{}{}$, \text{\leq}, or \text{\geq}.

Open Circle

A graphing symbol indicating that the value under the circle is NOT included in the inequality.

Closed Circle

A graphing symbol indicating that the value bubbled in is included in the inequality.

"At most"

A keyword phrase used to describe the inequality less than or equal to (\text{\leq}).

"At least"

A keyword phrase used to describe the inequality greater than or equal to (\text{\geq}).

Whole Numbers

All positive numbers starting from origin, such as $0, 1, 2, 3, 4$.

Opposites

Two numbers that are the same distance from $0$, but have different signs.

Integers

A set of numbers that includes the whole numbers and their opposites.

Absolute Value

The distance of a number from zero on the number line, which is always positive.

Ratio

A comparison of two quantities using division, measured in the same units.

Rate

The ratio of two measurements which have different units, typically written in fraction form.

Unit Rate

A calculation that tells how much or how many per $1$, found by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

Unit Price

A type of unit rate used to find the better deal by determining the cost per single unit.

Proportion

An equation stating that two ratios are equal.