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Example:
         ax2 + bx + c
          x is a variable
          a and b are coefficients
          c is a constant

An operator is a symbol (such as +, ×, etc.) that shows an operation (i.e. we want to do
something with the values).
A term is either a single number or a variable, or numbers and variables multiplied
together.
An expression is a group of terms (the terms are separated by + or − signs).

Powers (exponents)
The power (such as the 2 in x2) tells you how many times to use the value in a
multiplication.

Examples:
         82 = 8 × 8 = 64
         y3 = y × y × y
         y2z = y × y × z

Exponents make it easier to write and use many multiplications.
Example: y4z2 is easier than y × y × y × y × z × z, or even yyyyzz.

Issue 2 – September 2016           2-10                              Total Training Support Ltd
                          Module 1.2 Algebra                                    © Copyright 2016
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