What Is A Math Expression

The product of two and three.

What is a math expression.

When we combine numbers and variables in a valid way using operations such as addition subtraction multiplication division exponentiation and other operations and functions as yet unlearned the resulting combination of mathematical symbols is called a mathematical expression. For example 25 7 64 2 20 5 102. 2 3 is an expression 3 x 2 is also an expression. Though a long ungainly expression and a short elegant one may technically equal the same thing often a math problem isn t considered done until the answer has been reduced to simplest terms.

An equation will always use an equivalent operator between two math expressions. Math students are often asked to give their answer in the simplest terms in other words to write answers as small as possible. Numbers symbols and operators such as and grouped together that show the value of something. So 9 x is an algebraic expression in the next few examples we will be working solely with.

A mathematical expression can be as simple as 2 4 or as complex as 4xy 8x 5 x y. All mathematical expressions contain terms and each term has a coefficient the numerical factor. The structure of defining math expression advances in different grades. A math expression is different from a math equation.

Word product indicates that there should be multiplication of these numbers product is a result of. Translate verbal sentences into algebraic expressions translate algebraic expressions into phrases. In early grades children are expected to write math expressions using numbers and. An expression can be arithmetic algebraic polynomial and analytical.

Mathematical symbols can designate numbers variables operations functions brackets punctuation and grouping to help determine order of operations and other aspects of logical syntax. The expression 9 8 represents a single number 17 this expression is a numerical expression also called an arithmetic expression the expression 9 x represents a value that can change if x is 2 then the expression 9 x has a value of 11 if x is 6 then the expression has a value of 15.