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

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