A letter used to represent a number
Variable
-20x
-3(x + 4)
-3x - 12
If x = -2 and y = 4, evaluate:
2x - y
-8
(x + 9) + (-2x - 8)
-3x + 1
Contains numbers, variables, and one or more operations
Algebraic Expression
7y - 13y + 11
-6y + 11
7(2x - 11)
14x - 77
If m = 3 and n = -2, evaluate:
9m - n
29
(10x - 9) + (-11x - 16)
-x - 25
A number attached to (in front of) a variable
Coefficient
-19p + 10 - 19p + - 15
-38p - 5
-(x - 7) + 20
-x + 27
If c = -5 and d = -1, evaluate:
10c - 8d + 12
3(x + 4) + (-9x - 13)
-6x - 1
A term without a variable
Constant
9(x - 8) + 3(4)
9x - 60
-2(-9x + 5) - 8
18x - 18
If x = 3, y = -4 and z = -2, evaluate:
-3x + 6y + z
-35
(6x - 17) - (4x + 22)
2x - 39
Parts of an expression separated by a plus or minus sign
Terms
1/2x - 17 + 3/4 + 12
5/4x - 5
6x - 2y + 1
If k = -1/2 and j = -8, evaluate:
12k + 1/4j - 10 - 9
-27
7(2x - 8) -3(6x + 1)
-4x - 39