Algebraic expression


In mathematics, an algebraic expression is an expression built up from integer constants, variables, and the algebraic operations. For example, is an algebraic expression. Since taking the square root is the same as raising to the power,
is also an algebraic expression.
By contrast, transcendental numbers like Pi| and E | are not algebraic, since they are not derived from integer constants and algebraic operations. Usually, Pi is constructed as a geometric relationship, and the definition of requires an infinite number of algebraic operations.
A rational expression is an expression that may be rewritten to a rational fraction by using the properties of the arithmetic operations. In other words, a rational expression is an expression which may be constructed from the variables and the constants by using only the four operations of arithmetic. Thus,
is a rational expression, whereas
is not.
A rational equation is an equation in which two rational fractions of the form
are set equal to each other. These expressions obey the same rules as fractions. The equations can be solved by cross-multiplying. Division by zero is undefined, so that a solution causing formal division by zero is rejected.

Terminology

has its own terminology to describe parts of an expression:

1 – Exponent, 2 – coefficient, 3 – term, 4 – operator, 5 – constant, - variables

In roots of polynomials

The roots of a polynomial expression of degree n, or equivalently the solutions of a polynomial equation, can always be written as algebraic expressions if n < 5. Such a solution of an equation is called an algebraic solution. But the Abel–Ruffini theorem states that algebraic solutions do not exist for all such equations if n 5.

Conventions

Variables

By convention, letters at the beginning of the alphabet are typically used to represent constants, and those toward the end of the alphabet are used to represent variables. They are usually written in italics.

Exponents

By convention, terms with the highest power, are written on the left, for example, is written to the left of. When a coefficient is one, it is usually omitted. Likewise when the exponent is one,, and, when the exponent is zero, the result is always 1.

Algebraic and other mathematical expressions

The table below summarizes how algebraic expressions compare with several other types of mathematical expressions by the type of elements they may contain, according to common but not universal conventions.
A rational algebraic expression is an algebraic expression that can be written as a quotient of polynomials, such as. An irrational algebraic expression is one that is not rational, such as.