Algebra & Equations Vocabulary

a symbol representing an unknown or changeable quantity

“Let x be the variable representing the unknown price.”

a numerical factor multiplying a variable

“In 3x², the coefficient is 3.”

an expression of variables and coefficients using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication

“x³ + 2x² - 5x + 1 is a cubic polynomial.”

involving the second power of a variable

“The quadratic formula solves any equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0.”

expressing a number or expression as a product of its factors

“The factorization of x² - 9 is (x+3)(x-3).”

a rectangular array of numbers arranged in rows and columns

“Matrix multiplication is not commutative.”

a scalar value computed from a square matrix

“A matrix is invertible only if its determinant is non-zero.”

a scalar by which an eigenvector is scaled under a linear transformation

“The eigenvalues reveal the matrix's fundamental scaling behaviors.”

an element that combines with another to produce an identity element

“The inverse of 5 under multiplication is 1/5.”

an element that leaves other elements unchanged under an operation

“Zero is the additive identity; one is the multiplicative identity.”