Algebra Glossary: S

scientific notation: A standard way of writing very large and very small numbers as the product of two values — a number between 1 and 19 and a power of 10. Scientific notation follows the form N × 10a where N is a number from 1 up to 10, but not 10 itself, and a is an integer (positive or negative number).

semiperimeter: Half the perimeter.

sign: Symbol indicating whether a value is positive (+) or negative (−).

simple fraction: A fraction in which both the numerator and the denominator are whole numbers.

simplify: To combine all that can be combined and put an expression in its most easily understandable form.

slope: Number indicating the measure of a line’s steepness or slant and whether it rises or falls.

solution of equation: Value(s) of the variable that make the equation a true statement.

solve: Find the answer or what number the variable stands for.

square; perfect square: 1. Product of another number times itself. 2. Value with an exponent of 2.

square root: Value resulting in a given value when multiplied by itself. For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2 ×2 = 4, which is a perfect square.

substitution: Method of replacing a value with its equivalent.

sum: Result of addition.

symmetric property: Characteristic of equations that allows for the exchange of the value(s) on one side of the equal sign with the value(s) on the other side (quantities on the right go to the left; quantities on the left go to the right) without changing the truth of the equation: If x = y, then y = x.

synthetic division: Short-cut division process in which only the coefficients of the terms in an expression are used. The answer is obtained by multiplying and adding.