Algebraic expression

In mathematics, an algebraic expression is an expression that contains only algebraic numbers, variables and algebraic operations. Algebraic operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and exponentiation with integral or fractional exponents. A rational algebraic expression (or rational expression) is an algebraic expression that can be written as a quotient of polynomials, such as $x^2 %2B 2x %2B 4$ . An irrational algebraic expression is one that is not rational, such as $\sqrt{x %2B 4}$ .

Reference

James, Robert Clarke; James, Glenn (1992). Mathematics dictionary. p. 8.