| addition property of equality | For all real numbers a, b, and c, if a = b, then a + c = b + c. If two expressions are equal to each other and you add the same value to both sides of the equation, the equation will remain equal. |
| constant | A symbol that represents a quantity that cannot change. It can be a number, letter or a symbol. |
| equation | A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal. |
| isolate a variable | A method for solving an equation that involves rewriting an equivalent equation in which the variable is on one side of the equation and everything else is on the other side of the equation. |
| like terms | Terms that contain the same variables raised to the same powers. For example, 3x and −8x are like terms, as are 8xy2 and 0.5xy2. |
| multi-step equation | An equation that requires more than one step to solve. |
| multiplication property of equality | For all real numbers a, b, and c, c ≠ 0: If a = b, then ac = bc. If two expressions are equal to each other and you multiply both sides of the equation by the same non-zero number, the equation will remain equal. |
| term | A number or product of a number and variables raised to powers. 4x, −5y2, 6, and x3y4 are all examples of terms. |
| variable | A letter or symbol used to represent a quantity that can change. |