7th Grade Math Chapter 5 Vocabulary

algebra

a branch of mathematics that involves expressions with variables

algebraic expression

a combination of variables, numbers, and at least one operation

linear expressions

a function for which the graph is a straight line

term

a number a variable OR the product/quotient of numbers and variables

monomial

a number, variable, or product of a number and one or more variables 'mono' = one

arithmetic sequence

a sequence in which the difference between any two consecutive terms is the same (a pattern!)

counterexample

a specific case which proves a statement is false Example: If somebody says all fruit have seeds on the inside, a counterexample would be a strawberry since it has seeds on the outside.

variable

a symbol, usually a letter, used to represent a number in mathematical expressions or sentences

constant

a term that does not contain a variable

factored form

an expression expressed as the product of its factors 6x + 10y The factored form would be 2(3x + 5y)

simplest form

an expression is in simplest form when it is replace by an equivalent experssion having no like terms or parentheses.

sequence

an ordered list of numbers Example: 0,1,2,3 or 2,4,6,8

define a variable

choose a variable and a quantity for the variable to represent in an expression or an equation Let x = # of times the Wisconsin Badgers will win

property

statement that is true for ANY number or variable (This chapter has the Commutative, Identity, Distributive ________________________.)

like terms

terms that contain the same variables raised to the same power. Example: 5x and 6x are like terms

coefficient

the numerical factor of a term that contains a variable

Commutative Property

the order in which two numbers are added or multiplied does not change their sum or product

Multiplicative Identity Property

the product of any number and one is the number

Multiplicative Property of Zero

the product of any number and zero is zero 56,345.2356 x 0 = ZERO!!!

Additive Identity Property

the sum of any number and zero is that number x + 0 = x

Associative Property

the way in which numbers are grouped does not change their sum or product Hint: the people/group you hang out with are the people you associate with...

Distributive Property

to multiply a sum by a number, multiply each addend of the sum by the number outside the parentheses Example: 2(5 + 3) = (2 x 5) + (2 x 3)

factor

to write a number as a product of its factors

equivalent expressions

two or more equations with the same solution