Algebra Expressions

An expression shows the relationship between numbers and variables and dimensions.

For example in the expression 4a² + 6b – 8, the 4 means that there are 4 sets of a² whilst the 6 signifies 6 sets of b and the –8 means that 8 is subtracted from the first two terms.

The a and b are known as variables, whilst the –8 is known as a constant.

A variable is an unknown. Variables are assigned letters "x," "y," "z," etc

As an example, in the equation x + y = 7 the values of x and y can be lots of different things. If x = 3 then y=4, if x=1 then y=6 etc.

The algebraic expression may have one or more variables. The variables may be raised to different powers. (i.e r x r x r = r³, z x z x z x z = z⁴ )

A term is the number and the attached variable. In the expression 6x² – 2y , the 6x² and the –2y are terms. The 6x² tells us that there are six lots of x² ( i.e 6 times x²) The 6 and 2 are known as numerical coefficients.

Like terms are numbers with the same variables with the same powers. So, in the expression 7m² + 3n - 3m² - 3m the like terms are 7m² and -3m²

Like terms can be added and subtracted, for example 7m² + 3n - 3m² - 3m is the same as 4m² + 3n - 3m .

Coefficients are numbers in front of variables. If there is not a number in front of a variable, the understood coefficient is "1." If there is a negative in front of a variable with no number in front of it, the coefficient is a negative one.

So, in the expression 4a², the 4 means 4 lots of a²

The numbers that go in frontof variables are called Coefficients. If no number is before a variable then the coefficient is “1” (positive). If a negative is in front of a variable, without a number before it, then the coefficient is negative.