Elementary algebra
Elementary algebra Main article: Elementary algebra Algebraic expression notation: 1 – power (exponent) 2 – coefficient 3 – term 4 – operator 5 – constant term x y c – variables/constants Elementary algebra is the most basic form of algebra. It is taught to students who are presumed to have no knowledge of mathematics beyond the basic principles of arithmetic . In arithmetic, only numbers and their arithmetical operations (such as +, −, ×, ÷) occur. In algebra, numbers are often represented by symbols called variables (such as a , n , x , y or z ). This is useful because: It allows the general formulation of arithmetical laws (such as a + b = b + a for all a and b ), and thus is the first step to a systematic exploration of the properties of the real number sy...