> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts.md).

# Core Concepts

- [Protocol](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol.md)
- [Background](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/background-1.md)
- [Glossary](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/glossary.md)
- [Pool Lifecycle](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/pool-lifecycle.md)
- [Limitations](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/limitations.md)
- [Math](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/index.md)
- [Exponentiation](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/protocol/index/approxing.md)
- [BAL Governance Token](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/bal-balancer-governance-token.md)
- [BAL for Gas](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/bal-balancer-governance-token/bal-for-gas.md)
- [Liquidity Mining](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/bal-liquidity-mining.md)
- [Exchange Listing](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/bal-liquidity-mining/exchange-and-reward-listing.md)
- [Liquidity Mining Estimates API](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/bal-liquidity-mining/liquidity-mining-estimates-api.md)
- [Security](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/security.md)
- [Audits](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/security/audits.md): Audits of the balance-core smart contracts
- [Bug Bounty](https://balancer.gitbook.io/balancer-v2/v1/core-concepts/security/bounty.md)