Algebra Glossary

The distance of a number from zero on the number line, always expressed as a non-negative value.

A polynomial with exactly two terms, such as $3x + 5$ or $x^2 - 4$.

The numerical factor multiplied by a variable in an algebraic term. In $7x^2$, the coefficient is 7.

A fixed value that does not change. In the expression $4x + 9$, the number 9 is a constant.

The highest power of the variable in a polynomial. The degree of $3x^4 + x^2 - 1$ is 4.

A scalar value computed from a square matrix that indicates whether the matrix is invertible and describes the scaling factor of the linear transformation.

The set of all permissible input values for a function.

A number that indicates how many times a base is multiplied by itself. In $x^5$, the exponent is 5.

A mathematical phrase that combines numbers, variables, and operations but does not include an equals sign.

A number or expression that divides evenly into another. Factoring is the process of writing a quantity as a product of its factors.

A relation in which each input value is paired with exactly one output value.

A mathematical statement that compares two expressions using symbols such as $<$, $>$, $\leq$, or $\geq$.

An operation or element that reverses the effect of another. The additive inverse of $a$ is $-a$; the multiplicative inverse of $a$ is $\frac{1}{a}$.

An equation whose graph is a straight line and whose variable has a maximum exponent of one.

The inverse of exponentiation. $\log_b(x)$ equals the power to which the base $b$ must be raised to produce $x$.

A rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns, used in solving systems of equations and performing linear transformations.

A polynomial with exactly one term, such as $5x^3$ or $-2y$.

An expression consisting of variables raised to non-negative integer powers, multiplied by coefficients, and combined by addition or subtraction.

A second-degree polynomial equation in the standard form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, where $a \neq 0$.

The set of all possible output values of a function.

A fraction in which the numerator and denominator are both polynomials.

A measure of the steepness of a line, calculated as the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between two points.

A collection of two or more equations with the same set of variables, solved simultaneously to find values satisfying all equations.

A polynomial with exactly three terms, such as $x^2 + 5x + 6$.

A symbol, typically a letter, used to represent an unknown or changeable quantity in a mathematical expression or equation.