Revised 9-4-08

Ref. Sht. HI04-01 Things to Remember
TS118/S120

Back to Main Page
 Glossary
Page
in book
Expression Combinations of variables and numbers and  mathematical operations. 294
Factor One of two or more variables or numbers that are multiplied together. 305
Like terms Terms having identical literal factors (including exponents). 306
Literal factors The letter factors of a term. 305
Numerical coefficient The number factor of a term. 305
Terms Portions of an expression separated by plus or minus signs. 305
Unlike terms Terms having different literal factors (or exponents).
Variable A letter that represents something that we don't know the value of yet. (In other words, we don't have a number for it yet.) 294
 
Basic Rules of Algebra
  • Only like terms can be added or subtracted.
  • Adding like terms: Add the numerical coefficients, taking signs into account.
  • Multiplying terms
    • The terms can be unlike terms.
    • Multiply the numerical coefficients, taking signs into account.
    • Add the exponents of the same literal factors.

Back to Main Page