Intermediate Algebra 2e

# Key Terms

absolute value
The absolute value of a number is its distance from $00$ on the number line.
The number 0 is the additive identity because adding 0 to any number does not change its value.
The opposite of a number is its additive inverse.
coefficient
The coefficient of a term is the constant that multiplies the variable in a term.
complex fraction
A fraction in which the numerator or the denominator is a fraction is called a complex fraction.
composite number
A composite number is a counting number that is not prime. It has factors other than 1 and the number itself.
constant
A constant is a number whose value always stays the same.
denominator
In a fraction, written $ab,ab,$ where $b≠0,b≠0,$ the denominator b is the number of equal parts the whole has been divided into.
divisible by a number
If a number m is a multiple of n, then m is divisible by n.
equation
An equation is two expressions connected by an equal sign.
equivalent fractions
Equivalent fractions are fractions that have the same value.
evaluate an expression
To evaluate an expression means to find the value of the expression when the variables are replaced by a given number.
expression
An expression is a number, a variable, or a combination of numbers and variables using operation symbols.
factors
If $a·b=m,a·b=m,$ then a and b are factors of m.
fraction
A fraction is written $ab,ab,$ where $b≠0,b≠0,$ and a is the numerator and b is the denominator. A fraction represents parts of a whole.
integers
The whole numbers and their opposites are called the integers.
irrational number
An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as the ratio of two integers. Its decimal form does not stop and does not repeat.
least common denominator
The least common denominator (LCD) of two fractions is the least common multiple (LCM) of their denominators.
least common multiple
The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both numbers.
like terms
Terms that are either constants or have the same variables raised to the same powers are called like terms.
multiple of a number
A number is a multiple of n if it is the product of a counting number and n.
multiplicative identity
The number 1 is the multiplicative identity because multiplying 1 by any number does not change its value.
multiplicative inverse
The reciprocal of a number is its multiplicative inverse.
negative numbers
Numbers less than $00$ are negative numbers.
numerator
In a fraction, written $ab,ab,$ where $b≠0,b≠0,$ the numerator a indicates how many parts are included.
opposite
The opposite of a number is the number that is the same distance from zero on the number line but on the opposite side of zero.
order of operations
The order of operations are established guidelines for simplifying an expression.
percent
A percent is a ratio whose denominator is 100.
prime factorization
The prime factorization of a number is the product of prime numbers that equals the number.
prime number
A prime number is a counting number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and the number itself.
principal square root
The positive square root is called the principal square root.
rational number
A rational number is a number of the form $pq,pq,$ where p and q are integers and $q≠0.q≠0.$ Its decimal form stops or repeats.
real number
A real number is a number that is either rational or irrational.
reciprocal
The reciprocal of a fraction is found by inverting the fraction, placing the numerator in the denominator and the denominator in the numerator.
simplify an expression
To simplify an expression means to do all the math possible.
square of a number
If $n2=m,n2=m,$ then m is the square of n.
square root of a number
If $n2=m,n2=m,$ then n is a square root of m.
term
A term is a constant, or the product of a constant and one or more variables.
variable
A variable is a letter that represents a number whose value may change.