Glossary of Terms

base A term that is raised to an exponent. For example, in the term x², x is the base.

constants Numbers which have a value that does not change. Examples include all integers, decimal values etc.

equation A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal.

exponent (power) Indicates the number of times that the base occurs. In the term x², 2 is the exponent.

exponential notation A mathematical tool used to shorten or condense repeated multiplication.

expression A meaningful collection of numbers, variables, and signs of operation.

integer Includes all positive and negative whole numbers and zero.

inverse operations Operations that are opposites i.e., addition and subtraction are inverses, and so are multiplication and division.

irrational numbers A numbers that cannot be obtained by dividing one integer by another

like terms Terms with exactly the same variables raised to the same powers.

multivariate equation An equation that contains more than one variable.

numerical coefficient The number factor of a term.

operations on the real numbers
Addition: x + y means the sum of x and y or x plus y.

Subtraction: x – y means the difference of x and y or x minus y.

Multiplication: the product of k and l ; may be written as k•l, (k)(l), or kl.

Division: x/y means x divided by y or the quotient of x and y.

order of operations A systematic method of evaluating expressions which tells us to evaluate within parentheses first, then exponents, multiply, divide, add, subtract.

Properties of Real Numbers:
The Associative Properties
a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c Associative property of addition

a • (b • c) = (a • b) • c Associative property of multiplication

Properties of Real Numbers:
The Commutative Properties
a + b = b + a Commutative property of addition

a • b = b • a Commutative property of multiplication

Properties of Real Numbers:
The Distributive Property a(b + c) = ab + ac

rational numbers Any number that can be written as one integer divided by another

real numbers The set of all rational numbers and irrational numbers.

solution of the equation A number that makes an equation true.

substitution A process of switching or exchanging values, often plugging in a numerical value for a variable.

system of equations A set of two or more equations that are to be solved for the values of the variables making all the equations true.

terms A number, or a product of a number and one or more variables.

variable expression A meaningful collection of numbers, variables, and signs of operation.

variable The letters that are chosen to stand for numbers.

[table of contents]

base	A term that is raised to an exponent. For example, in the term x², x is the base.
constants	Numbers which have a value that does not change. Examples include all integers, decimal values etc.
equation	A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal.
exponent (power)	Indicates the number of times that the base occurs. In the term x², 2 is the exponent.
exponential notation	A mathematical tool used to shorten or condense repeated multiplication.
expression	A meaningful collection of numbers, variables, and signs of operation.
integer	Includes all positive and negative whole numbers and zero.
inverse operations	Operations that are opposites i.e., addition and subtraction are inverses, and so are multiplication and division.
irrational numbers	A numbers that cannot be obtained by dividing one integer by another
like terms	Terms with exactly the same variables raised to the same powers.
multivariate equation	An equation that contains more than one variable.
numerical coefficient	The number factor of a term.
operations on the real numbers	Addition: x + y means the sum of x and y or x plus y. Subtraction: x – y means the difference of x and y or x minus y. Multiplication: the product of k and l ; may be written as k•l, (k)(l), or kl. Division: x/y means x divided by y or the quotient of x and y.
order of operations	A systematic method of evaluating expressions which tells us to evaluate within parentheses first, then exponents, multiply, divide, add, subtract.
Properties of Real Numbers: The Associative Properties	a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c Associative property of addition a • (b • c) = (a • b) • c Associative property of multiplication
Properties of Real Numbers: The Commutative Properties	a + b = b + a Commutative property of addition a • b = b • a Commutative property of multiplication
Properties of Real Numbers: The Distributive Property	a(b + c) = ab + ac
rational numbers	Any number that can be written as one integer divided by another
real numbers	The set of all rational numbers and irrational numbers.
solution of the equation	A number that makes an equation true.
substitution	A process of switching or exchanging values, often plugging in a numerical value for a variable.
system of equations	A set of two or more equations that are to be solved for the values of the variables making all the equations true.
terms	A number, or a product of a number and one or more variables.
variable expression	A meaningful collection of numbers, variables, and signs of operation.
variable	The letters that are chosen to stand for numbers.