Mathematics Terms That Middle School and High School Students Should Know It is equal to approximately 3.14. Polynomial - An expression in algebra that consists of two or more terms. Positive number - A number greater than zero. Power - A product of equal factors. 3 x 3 x 3 = 3 3 , read as "three to the third power" or "the third power of three." Power and exponent can be used interchangeably.