4.1: Objectives
After completing this chapter, you should
Algebraic Expressions
- be familiar with algebraic expressions
- understand the difference between a term and a factor
- be familiar with the concept of common factors
- know the function of a coefficient
Equations
- understand the meaning of an equation
- be able to perform numerical evaluations
Classification of Expressions and Equations
- be familiar with polynomials
- be able to classify polynomials and polynomial equations
Combining Polynomials Using Addition and Subtraction
- understand the concept of like terms
- be able to combine like terms
- be able to simplify expressions containing parentheses
Combining Polynomials Using Multiplication
- be able to multiply a polynomial by a monomial
- be able to simplify +(a+b)+(a+b) and −(a+b)-(a+b)
- be able to multiply a polynomial by a polynomial
Special Binomial Products
- be able to expand (a+b)2(a+b)2, (a−b)2(a-b)2, and (a+b)(a+b)(a+b)(a+b)
Terminology Associated with Equations
- be able to identify the independent and dependent variables of an equation
- be able to specify the domain of an equation