Term
In mathematics, a term refers to the individual components or elements that make up an algebraic expression or equation
In mathematics, a term refers to the individual components or elements that make up an algebraic expression or equation. It can be a single number, a variable, or a product of a number and a variable.
Let’s break down a simple algebraic expression to understand how terms work. Consider the expression: 3x + 5y – 2z.
In this expression, the terms are separated by addition or subtraction symbols (+ or -).
The first term is 3x. It consists of the number 3 multiplied by the variable x. This means it represents three times the value of x.
The second term is 5y. It represents five times the value of y.
The third term is -2z. The negative sign indicates that it is subtracted. It represents two times the value of z, but with a negative sign.
Each term can also have a coefficient, which is the number that multiplies the variable. In our example, the coefficients are 3, 5, and -2.
It’s important to note that terms separated by addition or subtraction symbols can be rearranged without changing the value of the expression. For example, the expression 3x + 5y – 2z can be rearranged as -2z + 3x + 5y without altering the sum.
Understanding terms is crucial for simplifying and manipulating algebraic expressions, solving equations, and performing various mathematical operations.
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