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A variable is an unknown term represented by a symbol or letter.
A term is the product of multiple variables and possibly a number
An expression is a group of terms connected by addition and subtraction
Classify the following as variables, terms, or expressions:
\(1. x^2\)
\(2. 2y\)
\(3. q\)
\(4. 2xy + 3\)
\(1. x^2\) is a term since it is the product of two variables since it is \(x*x\)
\(2. 2y\) is also a term is it is a number \(2\) multiplied by a variable \(y\)
\(3. q\) is a variable, since there is just one variable and nothing else
\(4. 2xy + 3\) is an expression as it contains two terms, \(2xy\), and \(3\)
Often times, expressions can be simplified as we will see in the next question
Simplify the following expressions:
\(1. 2(3x+1) - 5(y+2x-3)\)
\(2. 2y - x +1\)
Part 1: First, we use the distributive property, to distribute \(2\) and \(-5\) into the parenthesis, and we get $$6x+2-5y-10x+15$$ Next, we can simplify like terms to get: $$-4x-5y+17$$ Part 2: This expression cannot be simplified further since there are no like terms. This is because \(x\) terms and \(y\) terms do not mix with eachother, or with numbers
In the next lesson, you will use the skills in example two to solve equations involving expressions like the one above
Conlcusion:
Even if you found this lesson simple, it is important to master it as a lot of subsequent lessons build on it.
Next: Solving Linear Equations