Algebra 1 - Unit 1 Word Wall

Key vocabulary for Expressions, Equations, and Exponents.

Real Numbers

The set of all rational and irrational numbers.

Natural: \(\{1, 2, 3, ...\}\)

Whole: \(\{0, 1, 2, 3, ...\}\)

Integers: \(\{..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...\}\)

Rational: Numbers that can be a fraction, like \(\frac{1}{2}, -3, 0.25\).

Irrational: Numbers that can't be a fraction, like \(\pi, \sqrt{2}\).

Absolute Value

A number's distance from zero on the number line. Distance is always positive.

\(\lvert-5\rvert = 5\)

\(\lvert5\rvert = 5\)

Order of Operations

The rules that state the sequence in which the multiple operations in an expression should be solved.

1. Parentheses (or Grouping Symbols)

2. Exponents

3. Multiplication & Division (Left to Right)

4. Addition & Subtraction (Left to Right)

Expression

A mathematical phrase that can contain numbers, variables, and operators. It does not have an equal sign.

\(3x^2 + 2y - 5\)

Variable

A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown value.

In \(9 + x = 15\), the variable is \(x\).

Coefficient

The number multiplied by a variable in a term.

In the term \(-4x\), the coefficient is \(-4\).

Term

A single number, a variable, or numbers and variables multiplied together. Terms are separated by + or - signs.

The expression \(5x - 2y + 8\) has 3 terms.

Exponential Form

A way of writing repeated multiplication using a base and an exponent.

\(2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 = 2^3\)

Base: 2, Exponent: 3

Properties of Exponents

Rules for simplifying expressions with exponents.

Product: \(a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}\)

Power of Power: \((a^m)^n = a^{mn}\)

Power of Product: \((ab)^m = a^m b^m\)

Quotient: \(\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}\)

Power of Quotient: \((\frac{a}{b})^m = \frac{a^m}{b^m}\)

Zero Exponent: \(a^0 = 1\)

Negative Exponent: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\)