2026-2027 Grade 8D Math, Lesson 1 illustrating algebraic expressions

Term

is the product of constants and variables

Constant

is a fixed value that does not change

Variable

is any letter or symbol used to represent an unknown quantity

Algebraic expression

expression containing constants and variables and a term/combination of terms that are expressed as a sum or difference

Literal Coefficient

letter part of a term in algebraic

expression, variables and their exponents that are multiplied by the numerical coefficient

Numerical Coefficient

is the number part of a term in an algebraic

expression and the constant that multiplies the variables (literal Coefficient)

Exponent

The small raised number that tells how many times the base is used as a factor (multiplied by itself).

Base

The number or variable that is being multiplied by itself

Exponential form

Numbers written with a base and an

exponent. (Example: 4³x⁴y³)

Expanded form (a.k.a Factored form)

Writing out what the exponent means. (Example: 4 • 4 • 4 • x • x • x • x • y • y • y)

Standard form

The actual value or result of the

exponent. (Example: 4³ = 4 • 4 • 4 = 64)

Monomial

polynomial with one term

Binomial

polynomial with two unlike terms

trinomial

polynomial with three unlike terms

Multimomial

polynomial with four or more unlike terms

Algebraic modeling

the process of translating a scenario

into a relationship between variables and

constant