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Expressions & Equations
Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that contains: • Numbers • Variables (letters that represent unknown values) • Operations (+, -, ×, ÷) Examples: • 3x + 5 • 2a - 7b • 4(x + 3) Key terms: • Variable: A letter representing an unknown number • Coefficient: The number multiplied by a variable (in 3x, the coefficient is 3) • Constant: A number without a variable (in 3x + 5, the constant is 5) • Term: Parts of an expression separated by + or - signs
Example:
Identify the parts of: 5x + 2y - 8 Terms: 5x, 2y, and -8 Variables: x and y Coefficients: 5 (for x) and 2 (for y) Constant: -8