#separator:tab #html:false #tags column:4 Variable A letter that stands for a number math-algebra-terms Constant A fixed number that does not change math-algebra-terms Coefficient The number multiplying a variable (In −4y, it is −4) math-algebra-terms Term A part of an expression separated by + or − math-algebra-terms Like terms Terms with the same variables raised to the same powers math-algebra-terms Expression A combination of numbers, variables and operations without an equals sign math-algebra-terms Equation A statement that two expressions are equal math-algebra-terms Inequality A statement comparing two expressions using <, >, ≤ or ≥ math-algebra-terms Solve Find the value of the variable that makes the statement true math-algebra-terms Evaluate Replace variables with numbers and compute the result math-algebra-terms Simplify Combine like terms and reduce an expression math-algebra-terms Factor Write an expression as a product of simpler expressions math-algebra-terms Expand Multiply out brackets to remove them math-algebra-terms Substitution Replacing a variable with a value or another expression math-algebra-terms Linear equation An equation whose graph is a straight line; the variable has degree 1 math-algebra-terms Slope-intercept form y = mx + b math-algebra-terms Point-slope form y − y₁ = m(x − x₁) math-algebra-terms Standard form of a line Ax + By = C math-algebra-terms Slope Rise over run; change in y divided by change in x math-algebra-terms Rise The vertical change between two points math-algebra-terms Run The horizontal change between two points math-algebra-terms Y-intercept Where a graph crosses the y-axis (x = 0) math-algebra-terms X-intercept Where a graph crosses the x-axis (y = 0) math-algebra-terms Parallel lines (slopes) Have equal slopes math-algebra-terms Perpendicular lines (slopes) Slopes are negative reciprocals; their product is −1 math-algebra-terms Slope of a horizontal line 0 math-algebra-terms Slope of a vertical line Undefined math-algebra-terms Function A rule that gives each input exactly one output math-algebra-terms Function notation f(x) is read 'f of x'; the output for input x math-algebra-terms Domain All allowed input values math-algebra-terms Range All resulting output values math-algebra-terms Independent variable The input variable, usually x math-algebra-terms Dependent variable The output variable, usually y; it depends on x math-algebra-terms Vertical line test A graph is a function if no vertical line crosses it twice math-algebra-terms Absolute value The distance of a number from zero, written |x| math-algebra-terms System of equations Two or more equations solved together math-algebra-terms Substitution method Solve one equation for a variable and substitute into the other math-algebra-terms Elimination method Add or subtract equations to cancel a variable math-algebra-terms Consistent system A system with at least one solution math-algebra-terms Inconsistent system A system with no solution, such as parallel lines math-algebra-terms Dependent system A system with infinitely many solutions; the same line math-algebra-terms Polynomial An expression of terms with whole-number powers of variables math-algebra-terms Degree The highest power of the variable in a polynomial math-algebra-terms Standard form of a polynomial Terms written from the highest power to the lowest math-algebra-terms Quadratic equation An equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 math-algebra-terms Quadratic formula x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a math-algebra-terms Completing the square Rewriting a quadratic so a perfect square trinomial appears math-algebra-terms Vertex form y = a(x − h)² + k math-algebra-terms Difference of squares a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b) math-algebra-terms Perfect square trinomial a² + 2ab + b² = (a + b)² math-algebra-terms Greatest common factor (GCF) The largest factor shared by all the terms math-algebra-terms Zero product property If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0 math-algebra-terms Root, zero or solution An x value where the function equals 0 math-algebra-terms Radical A root symbol, such as √ math-algebra-terms Rationalize the denominator Rewrite a fraction so the denominator has no radical math-algebra-terms Rational expression A fraction whose numerator and denominator are polynomials math-algebra-terms Inverse variation y = k/x; as one quantity goes up, the other goes down math-algebra-terms Direct variation y = kx; the ratio y/x is constant math-algebra-terms Constant of variation The constant k in a variation equation math-algebra-terms Arithmetic sequence formula aₙ = a₁ + (n − 1)d math-algebra-terms Geometric sequence formula aₙ = a₁ · rⁿ⁻¹ math-algebra-terms Exponential growth y = a(1 + r)^t with r > 0 math-algebra-terms Exponential decay y = a(1 − r)^t with 0 < r < 1 math-algebra-terms Compound interest formula A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) math-algebra-terms Continuous compounding formula A = Pe^(rt) math-algebra-terms