2.1: Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should
Symbols and Notations
- understand the difference between variables and constants
- be familiar with the symbols of operation, equality, and inequality
- be familiar with grouping symbols
- be able to correctly use the order of operations
The Real Number Line and the Real Numbers
- be familiar with the real number line and the real numbers
- understand the ordering of the real numbers
Properties of the Real Numbers
- understand the closure, commutative, associative, and distributive properties
- understand the identity and inverse properties
Exponents
- understand exponential notation
- be able to read exponential notation
- understand how to use exponential notation with the order of operations
Rules of Exponents
- understand the product and quotient rules for exponents
- understand the meaning of zero as an exponent
The Power Rules for Exponents
- understand the power rules for powers, products, and quotients