Question

What is coefficient in distributive property

Answer 1

In the distributive property, the coefficient refers to the numerical value that is multiplied by a variable.

Explanation:

For example, in the expression 3x, the coefficient is 3.

Similarly, in the expression 4y, the coefficient is 4.

The coefficient can be a positive or negative number, or even a fraction or decimal. It represents the scaling factor by which the variable is multiplied.

Answer 2

Answer: the numerical factor that is multiplied by a variable or expression within parentheses.

Explanation:

The coefficient in the distributive property refers to the numerical factor that is multiplied by a variable or expression within parentheses. In mathematics, the distributive property states that when a number is multiplied by a sum or difference inside parentheses, it can be distributed to each term within the parentheses. The coefficient is the number that is being multiplied.

For example, consider the expression 3(x + 2). In this case, the coefficient is 3, and it is being multiplied by the sum (x + 2). Applying the distributive property, we can distribute the 3 to each term within the parentheses:

3(x + 2) = 3 * x + 3 * 2 = 3x + 6

Here, the coefficient 3 is multiplied by both x and 2.

The coefficient plays a crucial role in algebraic expressions and equations as it determines the scale or magnitude of a variable or expression. It allows us to manipulate and simplify expressions by combining like terms or performing operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.