Expression (mathematics)

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In mathematics, an expression is an arrangement of symbols following the context-dependent, syntactic conventions of mathematical notation. Symbols can denote numbers, variables, operations, and functions. Other symbols include punctuation marks and brackets, used for grouping where there is not a well-defined order of operations. Expressions are commonly distinguished from formulas: expressions usually denote mathematical objects, whereas formulas are statements about mathematical objects, such as an equality. This is analogous to natural language, where a noun phrase refers to an object, and a whole sentence refers to a fact. For example, 8 x − 5 {\displaystyle 8x-5} and 3 {\displaystyle 3} are both expressions, while the inequality 8 x − 5 ≥ 3 {\displaystyle 8x-5\geq 3} is a formula. However...

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