Equation Vocab

Front

A number that is multiplied by a variable.

Back

Coefficient

Front

A value that does not change. In an algebraic expression, it is a number without a variable.

Back

Constant

Front

A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown number or value in an expression or equation.

Back

Variable

Front

When you flip a fraction.

Back

Reciprocal

Front

Operations that undo each other, like addition and subtraction or multiplication and division.

Back

Inverse

Front

A combination of numbers, variables, and operations that represents a value. It does not have an equals sign. Example: 3x + 4.

Back

Expression

Front

A mathematical statement that shows two expressions are equal, with an equals sign (=). Example: 2x + 5 = 11.

Back

Equation

Front

Terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Example: 4x and 3x are like terms because they both have the variable x.

Back

Like terms

Front

A property that allows you to multiply a number by a sum or difference inside parentheses: a(b + c) = ab + ac.

Back

Distributive property

Front

To make an expression easier by combining like terms, reducing fractions, or performing operations. Example: 4x + 3x simplifies to 7x.

Back

Simplify