Expressions vs. Equations Vocabulary

Front

What is an expression in mathematics?

Back

An expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and operators (such as +, -, *, /) that represents a value but does not include an equal sign.

Front

What is an equation in mathematics?

Back

An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions, typically containing an equal sign (=).

Front

What is a constant in an expression?

Back

A constant is a fixed value that does not change, such as the number 3 in the expression 5x - 3.

Front

In the expression 5x - 3, what role does the number 5 play?

Back

The number 5 is a coefficient, which is a number that multiplies a variable.

Front

What is the difference between a coefficient and a constant?

Back

A coefficient is a number that multiplies a variable, while a constant is a fixed value that does not change.

Front

What does the term 'variable' refer to in mathematics?

Back

A variable is a symbol (often a letter) that represents an unknown value in an expression or equation.

Front

What operation does the expression 2x represent?

Back

The expression 2x represents multiplication, where 2 is the coefficient multiplying the variable x.

Front

What is the significance of the equal sign in an equation?

Back

The equal sign indicates that the expressions on either side of it have the same value.

Front

Can an expression be solved like an equation?

Back

No, an expression cannot be solved; it can only be simplified or evaluated, while an equation can be solved for unknown values.

Front

What is an example of a mathematical expression?

Back

An example of a mathematical expression is 3x + 5.