Expressions & Equations Vocabulary
Understand and use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, inequalities, terms, and factors; distinguish between an expression (no equals sign), an equation (equals sign), and an inequality (inequality sign)
What a learner can do afterwards
- Define and distinguish between expression, equation, and inequality
- Identify terms, coefficients, and factors in algebraic expressions
- Use the vocabulary of algebra precisely in mathematical discussions
The lesson
You already know how to write algebra with letters and numbers, like 3x + 2. Now let's learn the words for different kinds of algebra statements. The sign in the middle tells you which kind you're looking at.
An expression has no equals sign and no inequality sign. It's just a math phrase, like 3x + 2. An equation has an equals sign, like 3x + 2 = 11. It says two things have the same value. An inequality has a sign like > (greater than) or < (less than), like 3x + 2 > 11. It says one side is bigger or smaller, not equal.
Look at the expression 5y - 4. It has two terms: 5y and -4, joined by a minus sign. In the term 5y, the number 5 is the coefficient, and 5 and y are its factors, because they're multiplied together to make the term.
To tell the three apart fast, check the middle sign first. No equals or inequality sign: expression. An equals sign: equation. A sign like > or <: inequality.
No sign means expression, an equals sign means equation, and a greater-than or less-than sign means inequality.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.