Lesson on Coefficients

Terms, factors, and coefficients review

Review terms, factors, and coefficients, and try some practice problems.

​Terms

Terms are single numbers, variables, or the product of a number and variables.
Examples of terms:
⋅ 5
⋅ 9𝑎
⋅ 𝑦
⋅ 𝑐 ÷ 4
(The expression 𝑐 ÷ 4 is the product of 𝑐 and ¼.)
⋅ 𝑥³
(The expression 𝑥³ is equivalent to the product 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑥.)

​Factors

A factor is one part of a product.
Examples of factors:
In the term 8𝑥, the factors are 8 and 𝑥.
In the term 𝑐𝑑𝑎, the factors are 𝑐, 𝑑, and 𝑎.

​Coefficients

A coefficient is a number multiplied by a variable.
Examples of coefficients:
In the term 14𝑐, the coefficient is 14.
In the term 𝑔, the coefficient is 1.
(𝑔 = 1 ⋅ 𝑔 = 1𝑔
So, even though we cannot see it, 𝑔 has a coefficient of 1.)

Fill in the Blank

What is the coefficient of the term 7𝑦 in the expression 9 + 7𝑦?

Fill in the Blank

Complete the statement to describe the expression 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑐𝑑.

The expression consists of [__] terms, and each term contains [__] factors.

,

Fill in the Blank

How many terms are in the expression 2𝑎 + 5?