ADDITION is an operation on the real numbers, symbolized in algebra by a plus sign (+). For example, 3 + 5 = 8.
The BASE is the number that is a repeated factor when written with an exponent.
A BINOMIAL is a polynomial with exactly two terms.
A COEFFICIENT is a constant factor of a term that contains variables. For example, in 3xy, 3 is the coefficient of xy.
A COMMON FACTOR is an expression that is a factor of two or more other expressions. 5 is a common factor of 15 and 20; x is a common factor of 3x and 7xy.
The DEGREE of a term is the sum of the exponents of its variables. The DEGREE of a polynomial in one variable is the highest exponent found in any term of the polynomial.
A polynomial in x is written in DESCENDING POWERS if the exponents on x decrease from left to right.
The DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY of the real numbers states that, for any real numbers a, b, and c, a(b+c) = ab + ac.
DIVISION is an operation on the real numbers, symbolized in algebra by a slash (/), fraction bar, or division symbol (╓). For example, 20╓5 = 20/5 = 4.
You can EVALUATE an expression containing a variable by substituting a number for the variable. For example evaluate 3x + 5, for x=2, as 3x+5 = 3(2)+5 = 11.
A natural number EXPONENT is a number that indicates how many times a base is used as a factor.
If aÑb = c, then a and b are called FACTORS of c.
Terms with exactly the same variables that have the same exponents are LIKE TERMS.
A MONOMIAL is a polynomial with exactly one term.
MULTIPLICATION is an operation on the real numbers, symbolized in algebra by a dot (Ñ) or by juxtaposition. For example, 3Ñ5 = 15.
A polynomial in NESTED form is written with parentheses inside parentheses: x(x(x + 5) + 4) -3 is in nested form. It is easier to evaluate than the same polynomial written as a sum of terms.
A POLYNOMIAL is a term or the sum of a finite number of terms.
The POWER RULES for exponents allow you to rewrite a ╥power of a power,╙ and a ╥power of a product.╙
The PRODUCT RULE for exponents allows you to rewrite a ╥product of powers of the same base.╙
The QUOTIENT RULE for exponents allows you to rewrite a ╥power of a quotient.╙
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION is a convenient method of writing very large or very small numbers.
SUBTRACTION is an operation on the real numbers, symbolized in algebra by a dash (-). For example, 10 - 3 = 7.
A TERM is a number, a variable, or a product or quotient of numbers and variables raised to powers.
A TRINOMIAL is a polynomial with exactly three terms.
A VARIABLE is a symbol, usually a letter, such as x, y, or z, used to represent any unknown number.
