Variables, Expressions, and Properties of Operations
Core vocabulary and rules for reading, simplifying, and evaluating algebraic expressions.
Keyboard Shortcuts
💡 Pro tip: Use keyboard shortcuts for faster studying!
Study Smart Tips for Variables, Expressions, and Properties of Operations
Master these concepts using proven study techniques that actually work:
Active Recall
Test yourself before flipping each card to strengthen memory retention
Spaced Repetition
Review difficult cards more frequently than easy ones
Multiple Sessions
Break study time into shorter, focused sessions
Explain Aloud
Verbalize answers to reinforce understanding
Questions Covered in This Set
10 cards to master
What is a variable?
A letter that stands in for a number — either an unknown (x + 5 = 12) or a varying quantity (3n dollars for n tacos).
What is a term?
A single chunk built by multiplication, such as 7x, −4ab, x², or a lone number like 9 (a constant).
What is a coefficient?
The number multiplying the variable(s) in a term — in 7x, the coefficient is 7.
How is an expression different from an equation?
An expression (like 7x − 4y + 9) has no equals sign; it's just a quantity. An equation sets two expressions equal with =.
Translate: 'seven less than a number'
n − 7 (NOT 7 − n)
Translate: 'three times the sum of a number and 8' vs. 'the sum of three times a number and 8'
3(n + 8) vs. 3n + 8 — the word 'sum of ... and ...' packages terms in parentheses.
What is the golden rule when evaluating an expression?
Always substitute the value inside parentheses, then apply PEMDAS — this prevents sign errors.
Evaluate 3x² − 4x + 1 when x = −2
3(−2)² − 4(−2) + 1 = 3(4) + 8 + 1 = 21
State the distributive property and why it matters
a(b + c) = ab + ac — the bridge between multiplication and addition, and the most-used property in algebra.
What are like terms, and how do you combine them?
Terms with the exact same variable part (same letters and exponents). Add the coefficients and keep the variable part: 5x − 2x = 3x. Note 3ab and 7ba are like terms.
