Mastering the Basics | An In-Depth Explanation of Terms in Algebraic Expressions and Equations

term

In math, a term refers to a component of an algebraic expression or equation

In math, a term refers to a component of an algebraic expression or equation. It can consist of a number, a variable, or a combination of both, along with any operators or coefficients.

A term is usually separated from other terms in an expression by either addition (+) or subtraction (-) signs. For example, in the expression 3x + 2y – 5, there are three terms: 3x, 2y, and -5.

Each term has its own coefficient, which is a numerical value that multiplies the variable. In the term 3x, 3 is the coefficient, and x is the variable. In some cases, a term may not have a variable, such as in the term 7, where 7 is the coefficient.

It is important to note that terms can be combined algebraically to simplify expressions. Like terms have exactly the same variables raised to the same exponents. For instance, 2x and 3x are like terms because they both have the variable x to the first power. Like terms can be added or subtracted by simply combining their coefficients. For example, 2x + 3x can be simplified to 5x.

Understanding terms is fundamental in various mathematical concepts such as simplifying expressions, factoring, and solving equations.

More Answers: