WORDS FOR THE EXPRESSION
4x
What is... ❓
✅ “Four times a number”
(or “A number multiplied by four”)
“Three times a number”
3x
2x, when x = 4
8
3 + 4 × 2
11
This is a letter or symbol that stands for a number.
What is a VARIABLE?
x + 7
What is... ❓
✅ “Seven more than a number”
(or “A number increased by seven”)
“A number increased by six”
x + 6
x + 5, when x = 7
12
(5 + 2) × 3
21
This is the number in front of a variable in a term like 5x.
What is the COEFFICIENT?
2b - 5
What is... ❓
✅ “Five less than twice a number”
“Double a number, then subtract five”
2x - 5
3x - 2, when x = 5
13
12 - 4 + 2
10
This part of an expression stays the same and does not have a variable.
What is a CONSTANT?
3(x + 1)
What is... ❓
✅ “Three times the sum of a number and one”
“The total cost of x shirts at $12 each, plus a $10 delivery fee”
12x + 10
2(x + 3), when x = 4
14
18 ÷ (2 + 1)
6
This is a maths phrase that includes numbers, operations, and variables but has no equals sign.
What is an EXPRESSION?
(x - 2) ÷ 4
What is... ❓
✅ “The difference between a number and two, divided by four”
(or “One fourth of a number minus two”)
“The square of a number minus three”
x2 - 3
x² + 2x, when x = 3
15
3 × 2² + 1
13
This is what we call it when we write 2(x + 3) as 2x + 6.
What is EXPANDING?
or DISTRUBUTIVE LAW?