Word Bank - Equality and Inequality

Equation

A statement of equality of two or more terms. For example, 2x=12 is an equation where one term (12) is equal to the expression 2x. In this example, this will result in one (and only one) answer for x.

Coefficient

A number by which another number or symbol is multiplied. This number can be positive or negative. For example, in the terms 2x and -3y, 2 and -3 are the coefficients.

Inequality

A statement where one term is greater than (or less than) another term. For example, 2x<12 is an inequality where one term (12) is larger than the expression 2x. This will result in more than one possible answer for x.

Inverse Operation

An operation (eg., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) that undoes what was done by a previous operation. For example, subtraction is the inverse of addition.

Solution

The answer to a problem. In linear equations, there is only one solution. In an inequality, there is usually more than one solution.

Variable

A letter that is used to represent a quantity that can be changed. It is not a fixed number.

Symbols and their meanings:

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