Introduction to Algebra Flashcards
(23 cards)
Define:
Variable
A letter or symbol that represents a value that can change like time, temperature, or age.
Define:
Constant
A value that cannot change.
Define:
Numerical expression
May contain ONLY constants and operations.
Define:
Algebraic expression
May contain variables, constants, and operations.
Define:
Absolute value
The distance from a number to zero on a number line.
Find the absolute value of the following:
* |-31|
* |7|
* |-47|
* |12|
Define:
Opposite / Additive inverses
The numbers are opposite if their sum is zero
Define:
Undefined
Any number divided by zero is undefined.
Define:
Reciprocals / Multiplicative Inverses
Two numbers are reciprocals if their product is 1. These two numbers are also called multiplicative inverses.
Define:
Power
An expression of an exponent.
An exponent is a repeated multiplcation. Power refers to how many times a number is multiplied by itself.
Define:
Square root
A number that is multiplied by itself to form a product.
Define:
Perfect square
A number whose positive square root is a whole number.
(example: 1, 4, 9, 16, and 25)
Define:
Real numbers
All numbers that can be represented on a number line.
Contains natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers.
Define:
Natural numbers
The counting numbers.
(does not include zero or negative numbers)
Define:
Whole numbers
Natural numbers with the addition of zero.
Define:
Integers
Whole numbers and their opposites.
(includes positive and negative whole values)
Define:
Rational numbers
Numbers that can be expressed as a fraction.
or in the form of ʸ⁄ₓ where x ≠ 0, where x and y are integer values
Define:
Irrational numbers
These numbers cannot be expressed as fractions.
These numbers include square roots of whole numbers that are not perfect squares and nonterminating decimals that do not repeat.
Define:
Order of operations
When the expression contains more than one operation symbol, the order of operations tells you which operation to perform first.
PEMDAS
- Parenthesis
- Exponents
- Multiplication/Division
- Addition/Subtractions
Define:
Commutative Property
You can add numbers in any order and multiply numbers in any order in the expression.
a+b = b+a
Define:
Associative Property
When you are only adding or only multiplying in part of an expression, you can group any of the numbers together.
(a+b)+c = a+(b+c)
Define:
Distributive Property
Can help evaluate expressions with parenthesis.
a(b+c) = ab+ac
Define:
Quadrant
There are four quadrants separated by the axis line.
They are referred to as Quadrant I, II, III, and IV.
Define:
Ordered pair
Has an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate and is written in parenthesis separated by a comma.
**(x,y) **
