# How do you identify the terms, like terms, coefficients and constants in each expression: 8 + 6t - 3t + t?

Jul 14, 2016

Terms in a maths expression are similar to words in an English sentence. They are separated from one another by + and signs.

$8 + 6 t - 3 t + t$ has 4 terms before it is simplified.

Like terms are those which have exactly the same variables

$6 t - 3 t + t$ are all like terms, because they are have $t$

A variable represents a number and can change its value.
A constant always has the same value - these are the numbers which we use in maths. A number is a constant.

In this expression , $8$ is the constant.

The coefficient of a term is the part that stands with another part.
The number in front is usually called the numerical coefficient, while the variable part is called the literal coefficient.

In $5 {x}^{2}$, the numerical coefficient is 5. The literal coefficient is ${x}^{2}$

$5 {x}^{2} = 5 \times x \times x$

The coefficient of $x$ is $5 x$

In $3 x {y}^{2}$, 3 is the coefficient, $x {y}^{2}$ is the literal coefficient.

$3 x {y}^{2} = 3 \times x \times y \times y$

When asking for a coefficient, it should be specified which coefficient is required.

The coefficient of x is $3 {y}^{2}$

The coefficient of y is $3 x y$
The coefficient of xy is $3 y$
The coefficient of 3x is ${y}^{2}$
The coefficient of 3y is $3 x y$