Algebra - Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic expressions are some expression that contains variable in it. In an algebraic expression, there are some notation, and the following chart will explain the four basic notations.

The parts of an algebraic expressions id called terms. Terms consists of variable, coefficient, and constants. Look at the example below!

                           

A Term can be made from : - a variable (e.g. x , y , a , etc.)

                                             - a product of 2 or more variables  ( xy , ab , etc.)

                                             - a product of coefficient and variable (-7x , 4ab, etc.)

                                             - a constant (3, 5, etc.)

An algebraic expression that consists of 1 term is called monomials

                                                               2 terms is called binomials

                                                               3, 4 or more terms is called polynomials

Look at the following algebraic expression!

12x^2 - 9x - 8y + 7xy - 4x^2 +5y

The above algebraic expression has 6 terms (12x^2 , -9x , -8y , 7xy , -4x^2 , 5y)

Some of them are similar (12x^2 and -4x^2 , -8y and 5 y). These are called similar terms. 

2 or more terms are called similar if they have the same variable having the same exponent. they can only differ in the value of their coefficients