Glossary of Algebraic Symbols

Algebra is a branch of mathematics. Algebra plays an important role in our day to day life. The glossary of algebraic symbols involved in the four basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The most important terms with the glossary of algebraic symbols are variables, constant, coefficients, exponents, terms and expressions. In Algebra, besides numerals we use symbols and alphabets in place of unknown numbers to make a statement. Hence, glossary of algebraic symbols may be regarded as an extension of Arithmetic.  

Glossary of algebraic symbols:

Most important terms for glossary of algebraic symbols:

Expressions

          An algebraic Expression is the combination of variables, constant, coefficients, exponents, terms which are combined by the following arithmetic operations Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The example of an algebraic expression is given below

                           2y + 5
Term

          Terms of the algebraic expression is concatenated to form the algebraic expression by the arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In the following example 3n² + 2n the terms 3n², 2n are combined to form the algebraic expression 3n² + 2n by the addition operation ( + )

Coefficient

          The coefficient of an algebraic expression is the value is present just before the terms. From the following example, 3n² + 2n the coefficient of 3n² is 3 and 2n is 2

Equations

          An algebraic equation equals the numbers or expressions. Most probably algebraic equation is used for the value of the variable. The example of the equation is given below

                          2y + 5

Examples for glossary of algebraic symbols:

Example 1:

8x - 3 = 2x

Solution:

8x - 3 = 2x

8x – 3 + 3 =2x + 3 (Add 3 on both sides)

8x =2x +3

8x – 2x =2x -2x + 3 (Add -2x on both sides)

6x = 3

6x /6 = 3 / 6  (both sides by divided 6)

X = 1/2

Example 2:

Solve the equation |-3x + 3| -8 = -6

Solution:

|-3x + 3| -8 = -6

|-3x + 3| -8 + 8 = -6 + 8 (Add 8 on both sides)

|-3x + 3| = 2

Case (i)

+ (-3x+3) = 2

-3x + 3 = 2 

Subtract 3 on both sides,

-3x + 3 -3 = 2-3

-3x=-1

x =1/3

Case (ii)

- (-3x+3) = 2

3x-3 =2

Add 3 on both sides

3x-3+3=2+3

3x=5

x=5/3