Algebra Glossary: C

coefficient: A number multiplied by a variable. The coefficient precedes the variable.

combinations: A method of counting that tells how many ways a designated number of objects can be selected from a given set.

common denominator: The same value on the bottom of more than one fraction.

commutative property: A characteristic of addition and multiplication that allows the order of the values in an operation to be changed without affecting the result.

composite number: A whole number larger than 1 that isn’t prime.

constant: A variable or number that never changes in value in an expression.

cube; perfect cube: The third power of a number; the result of multiplying a number by itself three times.

cube root: A number that you can multiply by itself three times to get a given number. For example, the cube root of 8 is 2, because 2 times 2 times 2 equals 8.

cubic: An adjective that describes an expression in which the highest power is three.