elementary algebra
Noun
Meaning
elementary algebra
(mathematics, education) An informally defined area of algebra considered suitable to be taught to secondary school students.
Synonyms
Examples
Learning must often follow a hierarchical scheme—to learn differential equations one must first learn calculus ; to learn calculus one must first learn elementary algebra ; and so on.
This elementary algebra text starts with a discussion of the nature of numbers and gives a comprehensive introduction to algebra, including formulae for solutions of polynomial equations.
Though coefficients are frequently viewed as constants in elementary algebra, they can be variables more generally.