What is algebraic expression

Natalie added three more matchsticks to form a pattern with two 4's. They realized that they can keep on adding 3 matchsticks in each round to make one extra "four".

An algebraic expression or a variable expression is a combination of terms by the operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. There are different components of an algebraic expression.

Let us have a look at the image given below in order to understand the concept of Variables, Constants, Terms, and Coefficients of any algebraic expression. In mathematics, a symbol that doesn't have a fixed value is called a variable. It can take any value. In the above example that involved matchsticks, n is a variable and in this case, it can take the values 1,2,3, Some examples of variables in Math are a,b, x, y, z, m, etc.

On the other hand, a symbol that has a fixed numerical value is called a constant. All numbers are constants. A term is a variable alone or a constant alone or it can be a combination of variables and constants by the operation of multiplication or division. These numbers are called coefficients. To simplify an algebraic expression, we just combine the like terms. Hence, the like variables will be combined together.

Now, out of the like variables, the same powers will be combined together. For example, let us take an algebraic expression and try to reduce it to its lowest form in order to understand the concept better. Let our expression be:.

Algebraic formulas are the derived short formulas that help us in solving the equations easily. They are just a rearrangement of the given terms in order to create a better expression that is easy to memorize. Find below a list of some of the basic formulas that are being used widely. Have a look at this page in order to understand the algebraic formulas better. Skill Summary Legend Opens a modal. Introduction to variables.

What is a variable? Opens a modal. Why aren't we using the multiplication sign? Evaluating an expression with one variable Opens a modal. Evaluating expressions with one variable Opens a modal.

Practice Evaluating expressions with one variable Get 5 of 7 questions to level up! Evaluating expressions with two variables Opens a modal. Practice Evaluating expressions with multiple variables Get 3 of 4 questions to level up! Writing algebraic expressions. Writing basic expressions with variables Opens a modal. Writing expressions with variables Opens a modal.

Trinomial expressions have two algebraic operations and three different terms: one constant and two different variables, one constant and two variables with two different exponents , or three variables with three different exponential values. When you understand how to identify a coefficient, variable, algebraic operation, and constant, you can start classifying and working with different types of algebraic expressions.

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