Algebra I Chptr. 1 Vocab
associative property of addition and multiplication
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c);
base
2 in 2^3. The repeated factor.
exponential expression
2^3: An expression using exponents.
exponent
3 in 2^3. The number of times the base is used as a factor.
algebraic expression
A collection of numbers, variables, operation symbols, and grouping symbols.
set
A collection of objects (numbers)..
exponential notation
A compact form of writing repeated multiplication.
equation
A mathematical statement where two expressions have equal value.
square matrix
A matrix with the same number of rows and columns.
composite numbers
A natural number that is not prime.
prime numbers
A natural number whose factors are 1 and itself.
number line
A picture which helps use visualize distance and other relationships between numbers.
fraction
A quotient of two numbers.
matrix
A rectangular array of numbers placed in rows and columns.
counter example
A specific example of the falsity of a statement.
mathematical statement
A statement written using numbers and mathematical symbols.
variable
A symbol used to represent a number.
solving/solution
A value for the variable that makes the equation true.
real numbers
All numbers that correspond to points on the number line.
member or element
An object in a set.
grouping symbols
Braces { }, brackets [ ], and parentheses ().
evaluate an algebraic expression
Find the numerical value of an expression once we know the value of the variables.
equivalent fractions
Fractions with common denominators.
product
In a statement 3∙5 = 15, 15 is the product.
factors
In a statement 3∙5 = 15, 3 and 5 are factors.
inequality symbols
Less than (<), greater than (>), less than or equal to (≤), and greater than or equal to (≥)
reciprocals (multiplicative inverses)
Numbers (fractions) whose products are 1.
rational numbers
Numbers which can be represented as a quotient of integers.
irrational numbers
Numbers which cannot be represented as a quotient of integers.
absolute value
The absolute value of a real number a, denoted by |a|, is the distance between a and 0 on a number line.
denominator
The bottom number in a fraction.
order m x n
The number of m, rows, and n, columns, in a matrix.
elements
The numbers inside the brackets of a matrix.
undefined
The quotient of any nonzero number and 0 is undefined.
least common denominator
The smallest common denominator for two fractions.
numerator
The top number in a fraction.
supplement
Two angles that add up to 180
complementary
Two angles that add up to 90
opposites/additive inverses
Two numbers that are the same distance from 0 but lie on opposite sides of 0.
multiplicative inverses
Two numbers whose product is 1.
simplified or lowest terms
When the numerator or denominator in a fraction have no factors in common other than 1.
commutative property of addition and multiplication
a + b = b + a;
distributive property
a(b + c) = ab + ac
equal symbol
symbol = , "is equal to"
integers
{..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,...}
whole numbers
{0, 1, 2, 3, 4,...}
natural numbers
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,...}