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Mike McGarry
Lesson by Mike McGarry
Magoosh Expert
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Algebra, Equations, and Inequalities
Summary
The introduction to algebra focuses on the foundational concepts of algebraic expressions and equations, highlighting the significance of variables, constants, terms, coefficients, and the distinctions between monomials, binomials, trinomials, and polynomials.
  • Algebra involves variables, which can represent a specific number, all numbers, or all numbers with few exceptions.
  • A constant is a number or symbol that doesn't change, while a term is a product of constants and variables.
  • Coefficients are the constant factors of a term, and when not explicitly mentioned, are considered to be 1.
  • Expressions are collections of terms joined by addition or subtraction, without equal signs, unlike equations.
  • The study of algebraic expressions seeks to find patterns true for all numbers, while algebraic equations aim to solve for specific values.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding Algebra
00:30
Variables and Constants
01:43
Terms, Coefficients, and Expressions
03:55
Classifying Algebraic Expressions