Question

Identify the terms of each expression and coefficient of each term.

1. 7x + 8y
2. a-b
3. 3m^2-6n

Answer 1

1). Terms: 7x and 8y

Coefficients: 7 and 'x'
8 and 'y'

2). Terms: 'a' and 'b'

Coefficients: 'a' and '1'
'b' and '1'
(If the coefficient is '1', it's not written; but it's there.)

3). Terms: 3m² and -6n

Coefficients: 3 and m²
-6 and n

Answer 2

A term of an expression is the different pieces that are separated by the plus and minus signs.

A coefficient of a term is the number part of a term that is attached to the variable.

1) 7x + 8y

The terms are 7x and 8y. The coefficient of the first term, 7x, is 7. The coefficient of the second term, 8y, is 8.

2) a - b

The terms are a and b. The coefficients of both of these terms are 1, however they are not written because they are implied.

3) 3m^2 - 6n

The terms are 3m^2 and 6n. The coefficient of the first term, 3m^2, is 3. The coefficient of the second term, 6n, is 6.