Absolute Value - A number's distance from zero on the number line. The absolute value of a number is denoted by vertical lines before and after it. For example: |8|, which is read as "the absolute value of 8."

Exponent - In an expression of the form x to the n power (xⁿ), the exponent is n. An exponent indicates how many times the number to its left (the base) is to be used as a factor. 5⁴ is read as "five to the fourth power" and means 5 x 5 x 5 x 5.

Scientific Notation - A form of writing numbers as the product of a decimal number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 and a power of 10. Using scientific notation, 43, 500 would be written 4.35 x 10⁴.

Square Root - One of two identical factors of a number. Symbol: √. Example: √25 = 5 because 5 x 5 = 25.