Lesson 2: INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA Algebra deals with operations of unspecified or unknown numbers that are designated by symbols or letters

s Variable the unknown number Mathematical phrase a group of symbols which does not express a complete thought; aka Algebraic expression Mathematical sentence a group of symbols which explains a complete thought; aka Algebraic equation Algebraic Expression 2X4 + 3X3 2Y X3 + 4 In 2X4 2 Numerical coefficient X4 Literal coefficient X Variable In X4 X base 4 exponent What about 4 in the expression? Constant Terms = 2X4, 3X3, 2Y, X3, 4 (separated by operational signs) Similar Terms: Dissimilar Terms: Similar terms terms having the same literal coefficient Importance: can be added and subtracted

Polynomial an algebraic expression consisting of a sum of terms Special Names of polynomials 1. Monomial 1 term 2. Binomial 2 terms 3. Trinomial 3 terms 4. Multinomial more than three terms Degree of a polynomial the sum of the exponents of the variables of a term for a monomial To get the degree of a multinomial, determine the degree of each term and select the highest degree