Question

How do you identify the terms, like terms, coefficients, and constants in `5n-2n-3+n`?

Answer 1

Like Terms: `5n`,`-2n` and `n`.

Coefficients: `5`, `-2` and `1`.

Constants: `-3`

Explanation:

Like terms are numbers with similar attributes that can be combined. In this case we are given `3`. See below:

`5n-2n+n=?`

These are like terms and can be combined to get the final number.

`5n-2n+n=4n`

The number in front of the variable is called the coefficient. In this case, the coefficient in front of first, second and third `n` are:

`5,2 and 1`.

There is an invisible `1` in front of the third coefficient. Do not forget that it will always be `1` if there is no designated numeral already in front of the coefficient.

A variable is a value that is able to change over the course of an equation.

A constant is a number that that is on it's own. In this example we are given only `1` constant. See below:

Constants: `-3`.

Therefore we can re-write this expression simply as:

`5n-2n+n-3=?`

Now simplify:

`4n-3`. Since we aren't solving for `n`, this is our simplified expression.

Answers: (See Below)

Simplified Expression: `4n-3`

Like Terms: `5n`,`-2n` and `n`.

Coefficients: `5`, `-2` and `1`.

Constants: `-3`.