What is the meaning of expression in mathematical terms?

Answer 1

From Wikipedia:

An expression is a combination of numbers, operators, grouping symbols (such as brackets and parentheses) and/or free variables and bound variables arranged in a meaningful way which can be evaluated.

[end Wikipedia quote]

This is more general than an "algebraic expression", which might be what you are interested in. Algebraic expressions should evaluate to a number when its variables are assigned values (except when the values plugged in cause the expression to be undefined).

For example, "x + 1/x" is an algebraic expression. If you plug in 1 for x, the expression evaluates to 2. If you plug in 0 the expression becomes undefined. You can compare this expression to the function f(x) = x + 1/x, which evaluates to a number when you plug in for x.

However, don't confuse algebraic expressions with an equations like 2x = 3, or y = x+1 for example, since these do not "evaluate", rather they already contain information about the possible values of the variables (ie the solution or the solution set to the equation). For example 2x=3 simplifies to x=3/2. You cannot plug in any number for x as you might in an expression. Plugging in x=2 for example would give you 4=3.

An example of another kind of expression besides algebraic is a logical expression. Logical expressions evaluate to either true or false when you plug in values (true or false) for each variable. For example the logical expression A and B evaluates to true when you plug in true for A and true for B, and it evaluates to false in all other cases.

Answer 2

Expressions in mathematics are like nouns in language. They describe numeric values.

Equations and inequalities in mathematics are like statement in language. They state the relations between two values.

There is no right or wrong concept of an expression, since it is just a numeric value.

Whereas, an equation or an inequalities is either true or false, indicating if the stated relationship between two values or expressions is valid or not.
E.g. 5=5 is true, 4>5 is false, etc.

Answer 3

here are three words you will run across in math classes:

term is a number and/or variable. examples:s 1, a, 5b

expression is a group of numbers and/or variables that do not include an equals sign. examples: 1+2, 5-a, x*y

equation contains a group of numbers and/or variables set equal to some value. examples x-y=5, 1+2=3, x*4=7

Good question!

Answer 4

A mathematical Equation, such as 1 + 1, and it sometimes has a Variable (a letter representing a certain number).

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

a value expressed without a "=" sign or an inequality.

Answer 6

you really do need a maths teacher!