Today's soundtrack is Foo Fighters: Foo Fighters.
I've finally made it to the fifth section of Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, "The X-Files: Introduction to Algebra"; I'm starting the first part of the first chapter of this section, chapter 21 of the book: "Enter Mr. X: Algebra and Algebraic Expressions."
Introduction
What is algebra for? "Algebra is used for solving problems that are just too difficult for ordinary arightmetic" (p. 281) and it can be found in many places, including "architecture, engineering, medicine, statistics, computers, business, chemistry, physics, biology, and, of course, higher math" (p. 282).
x stands for "any number" (p. 282). It, like every other letter that represents a number, is a variable. It is called this because its value is unknown. In algebra, we call numbers "constants" and letters "variables".
If we see a series of mathematical symbols and at least one variable, if we can place it on one side of an equation, it is an algebraic expression. If we see little chunks of numbers and/or variables separated by plus or minus signs, we call it a "term." If the term has a variable, we call it an algebraic term; if it is only a number with no variable, we call it a constant. The plus or minus sign stays with the term that comes right after it. We can rearrange terms without changing the value of our equation.
The coefficient is the numerical part of a term, with the mathematical symbol that's part of it. If there is no identifiable numeric value, we assign the value of "1". If two terms have the same variable and exponents, we say that they are like terms.
At this point, I must cut short; I will try to continue tomorrow, but I was out all day working at the Special Education Track and Field Day and I am quite tired.
