The purpose of this page is to provide a simple glossary and a simple index for my algebra help pages.  You can click on the blue underlined terms to go to the term used in context.  You can also see index of algebra topics

absolute value - the distance from zero without regard to direction; the absolute value of -2 is the same as the absolute value of 2       

binomial - made up of two parts; first degree examples: (x+1); (x-4); (2x+3); the product of two first degree binomials, of the same variable, gives us a quadratic equation in standard form. For example:          You can see more at this link: binomials.

coordinate plane - flat surface given values shown on two axes to identify the location of points.  In algebra classes we generally refer to the x-axis (horizontal) and the y-axis (vertical)

equation - with an equal sign, this conveys some mathematical meaning.  This often is used as a formula that requires you to input a value and then calculate a result.

expression - without an equal sign, this conveys some mathematical meaning.  The operations, and the rules for order of operations, tell you what is to happen.

function - a one-to-one relation where the input gives a predictable result, i.e. you will get this result every time using that input.

input variable - the chosen (independent) variable; when working with functions, this is the domain

inverse operations - addition and subtraction are inverse operations (in a way, they "undo" each other) because they work together in  facts, i.e. 3+4=7 so 7-3=4 and 7-4=3.  Multiplication and division are inverse operations because they work together.

line - straight path of points extending infinitely in two directions.  The slope of a line is constant.

linear equation - a first degree equation; the equation of a line is usually put either in the form or .  See also a powerpoint equation of a line.htm

order of operations - the set of rules for making computations.  At its simplest it goes : parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division from left to right, addition and subtraction from left to right.

output variable - the calculated value based on the input; this is a part of the range

parabola - the graph of a quadratic equation; the graph is shaped like a "U" and can open either up or down.  If it opens up it has a maximum value, a peak so-to-speak.  If it opens down it has a minimum value.  You can tell much of this just from looking at the equation.

point - a specific location in space; on the coordinate plane it is identified by the two axis values, usually shown as (x,y) but can also represent other relations such as distance and time or units and money.

quadratic equation - a second degree equation in the form or .  It graphs as a parabola.  If "a" is positive, then the parabola opens up.   If "a" is negative, then it opens down.

slope - "rise over run"; the change of the graph from right to left, usually calculated from one point on the graph to another

x-intercept - where the graph intersects the x-axis; the value of y is 0, a point of the form (x , 0)

y-intercept - where the graph intersects the y-axis; the value of x is 0, a point of the form (0 , y)

zero product rule- when a product is zero then you know that at least one factor must have been zero.   Examples: 4 * 0 = 0 and x * 0 = 0