Basic Algebraic Concepts

Front

Commutative Property

Back

a + b = b + a or a(b) = b(a).

A property of addition and multiplication that states the order of numbers does not change the sum or product.

Front

Associative Property

Back

(a + b) + c = a + (b + c) or (ab)c = a(bc)

A property that states the way in which numbers are grouped does not change their sum or product. Numbers in the parentheses will change, but the answer will stay the same.

Front

Distributive Property

Back

Front

Variable

Back

A symbol, usually a letter, used to represent an unknown number.

X is often a variable

Front

Coefficient

Back

A numerical or constant quantity placed before and multiplying the variable in an algebraic expression (e.g., 4 in 4x).

Front

Constant

Back

A fixed value that does not change. It is usually a number that does not have a variable with it.

Front

Exponent

Back

A number that indicates how many times the base is multiplied by itself. For example, in 2^3, 3 is the exponent.

Front

Term

Back

Front

Like Terms

Back