Algebra Vocabulary Matching Worksheet

Press Print worksheet to match twelve algebra terms, from variable to like terms, to their meanings.

A sample is on the sheet. What you type replaces it.

What you type stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to us.

NameDateMade at homeroomtools.comDraw a line from each one on the left to its partner on the right.Algebra vocabularyvariablecoefficientconstanttermlike termsalgebraic expressionevaluatesimplifydistributive propertyorder of operationsrational numberadditive inverseto rewrite in the shortest equalformthe agreed sequence for workingout a calculationto work out the value once eachvariable has a numbera term with no variable, so itsvalue stays fixeda number that can be written as afraction of two integersmultiplying a sum by multiplyingeach addend, then addinga number's opposite; the two addup to 0the number that multiplies avariablea number, a variable, or theirproduct, set off by + or −a math phrase of numbers, lettersand operation signsa symbol, usually a letter, for avalue that may varyterms with the same variablesraised to the same powers
NameDateMade at homeroomtools.comDraw a line from each one on the left to its partner on the right.Algebra vocabularyAnswer keyvariablecoefficientconstanttermlike termsalgebraic expressionevaluatesimplifydistributive propertyorder of operationsrational numberadditive inverseto rewrite in the shortest equalformthe agreed sequence for workingout a calculationto work out the value once eachvariable has a numbera term with no variable, so itsvalue stays fixeda number that can be written as afraction of two integersmultiplying a sum by multiplyingeach addend, then addinga number's opposite; the two addup to 0the number that multiplies avariablea number, a variable, or theirproduct, set off by + or −a math phrase of numbers, lettersand operation signsa symbol, usually a letter, for avalue that may varyterms with the same variablesraised to the same powers
More options

Next step Next: flip algebra cards

All 48 terms

Expressions 12

  • additive inverse A number's opposite; the two add up to 0. The additive inverse of 5 is −5.
  • algebraic expression A math phrase of numbers, letters and operation signs. 5n − 2 is an algebraic expression.
  • coefficient The number that multiplies a variable. In 7y, the coefficient is 7.
  • constant A term with no variable, so its value stays fixed. In 2x + 9, the constant is 9.
  • distributive property Multiplying a sum by multiplying each addend, then adding. 2(x + 4) = 2x + 8.
  • evaluate To work out the value once each variable has a number. When x = 3, 2x + 1 = 7.
  • like terms Terms with the same variables raised to the same powers. 2x and 6x are like terms; 2x and 2x² are not.
  • order of operations The agreed sequence for working out a calculation. 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, not 20.
  • rational number A number that can be written as a fraction of two integers. 0.75 is a rational number: it equals 3/4.
  • simplify To rewrite in the shortest equal form. 3x + 2x simplifies to 5x.
  • term A number, a variable, or their product, set off by + or −. 3a + 5 has two terms: 3a and 5.
  • variable A symbol, usually a letter, for a value that may vary. In 4n + 1, the variable is n.
Show all 48 terms (36 more)

Equations and inequalities 12

  • absolute value The size of a number once its sign is dropped. |−6| = 6.
  • cross-multiply To multiply each numerator by the other denominator. From x/4 = 3/2 we get 2x = 12.
  • equation Two expressions written with an equal sign between them. x + 4 = 9.
  • inequality A statement that compares two expressions with <, >, ≤ or ≥. x + 4 < 9.
  • inverse operation An operation that undoes another. Subtracting 4 undoes adding 4.
  • multiplicative inverse The number that multiplies a given number to make 1. The multiplicative inverse of 4 is 1/4.
  • number line A line on which every point stands for a number. x > 2 is drawn as a ray on a number line.
  • simultaneous equations Two or more equations that must hold at the same time. x + y = 5 and x − y = 1.
  • solution A value of the variable for which the equation holds. x = 5 is the solution of x + 4 = 9.
  • solution set All the values that make a statement true. For x > 2, the solution set is every number above 2.
  • trial and error Testing one value after another until one fits. Try x = 1, 2, 3 in 2x + 1 = 7.
  • word problem A math question told in words instead of symbols. Twice a number plus 3 is 11. What is the number?

Graphs and functions 12

  • coordinate plane The flat grid formed by the x-axis and the y-axis. The point (3, −2) lies on the coordinate plane.
  • domain Every input that a function accepts. For y = 1/x, the domain leaves out 0.
  • function A pairing that gives each input one output and no more. y = x + 1.
  • linear equation An equation whose graph is a straight line. y = 3x − 1.
  • ordered pair A pair of coordinates in a set order, written (x, y). (3, −2).
  • range Every output that a function can produce. For y = x², the range is 0 and up.
  • rate of change How much one quantity changes for each unit of another. From (1, 2) to (3, 8) the rate of change is 3.
  • scatter plot A graph of separate points, one for each pair of values. A scatter plot can show height against arm span.
  • slope A number for how steeply a line climbs or falls. The line through (0, 0) and (2, 6) has slope 3.
  • x-axis The left-to-right axis of a coordinate plane. On the x-axis, y = 0.
  • y-axis The up-and-down axis of a coordinate plane. On the y-axis, x = 0.
  • y-intercept Where a graph meets the vertical axis. y = 2x + 5 crosses at (0, 5).

Polynomials 12

  • binomial A polynomial made of two terms. x + 7.
  • common factor A factor shared by every term. 3 is a common factor of 6x + 9.
  • difference of squares One perfect square minus another. x² − 9 = (x + 3)(x − 3).
  • exponent The power a base is raised to, written small and high. x³ = x · x · x.
  • factoring Breaking an expression into factors that multiply to it. x² + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3).
  • FOIL A memory aid for multiplying two binomials. First, outer, inner, last: (x + 1)(x + 2) = x² + 2x + x + 2.
  • greatest common factor The largest number that divides each of two or more numbers. The greatest common factor of 12 and 18 is 6.
  • leading coefficient The coefficient of the term with the highest power. In 4x³ + x, it is 4.
  • monomial A polynomial made of a single term. 6x².
  • perfect square The result of multiplying a number or expression by itself. 9 = 3², and x² + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)².
  • polynomial One term, or a sum of terms, with whole-number powers. x² + 3x − 4.
  • trinomial A polynomial made of three terms. x² + 5x + 6.

How this list was compiled: Term list chosen for this site on 2026-10-02. Each meaning is written in our own words and was checked that day against the term's entry in Wiktionary, the free dictionary (https://en.wiktionary.org/), whose text is under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license, and, for the terms with no entry of their own (algebraic expression, distributive property, inverse operation, solution set, leading coefficient, difference of squares), against the articles Elementary algebra, Algebraic expression, Distributive property, Division (mathematics), Equation solving, Coefficient and Difference of two squares in English Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/), whose text is under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. No definition is taken from a textbook. The example after each meaning is our own. Licence: own work

How it works

This algebra vocabulary matching worksheet prints twelve terms down the left and their meanings, mixed up, down the right. Four sets cover expressions, equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, and polynomials.

Read the full guide

Four sets

Set opens on Expressions: variable, coefficient, constant, term, like terms and seven more. Equations and inequalities has solution, inverse operation and absolute value. Graphs and functions has slope, domain and range. Polynomials runs from monomial to difference of squares.

An example in symbols

Under the tool each term has an example. Coefficient: the number that multiplies a variable. In 7y, the coefficient is 7. The sheet prints the meanings only. For your own unit, type term = meaning lines in the box.

  • All of them, in Set, mixes twelve terms from the four sets for a review sheet.

Questions and answers

What are the basic algebra vocabulary words?

Start with variable, coefficient, constant, term and like terms, then expression, equation, inequality and solution. Graphing adds slope, y-intercept, function, domain and range, and polynomials add monomial, binomial, trinomial and factoring.

What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

An expression is a phrase of numbers, letters and operation signs, such as 5n − 2. An equation sets two expressions equal, with an equal sign between them, such as x + 4 = 9.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. The key prints as a second page: the same sheet with a line drawn from each term to its meaning. See the answers, under More options, checks a sheet on screen.

More tools

Show 8 more

Browse Handwriting