Question

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

Answer 1

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

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

Like terms are those which have exactly the same variables

`6t-3t +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 `5x^2`, the numerical coefficient is 5. The literal coefficient is `x^2`

`5x^2 = 5 xx x xx x`

The coefficient of `x` is `5x`

In `3xy^2`, 3 is the coefficient, `xy^2` is the literal coefficient.

`3xy^2 = 3xx x xx y xx y`

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

The coefficient of x is `3y^2`

The coefficient of y is `3xy`
The coefficient of xy is `3y`
The coefficient of 3x is `y^2`
The coefficient of 3y is `3xy`