Question #caff4

1 Answer
Mar 7, 2017

-3x +173x+17

Explanation:

It is important to know and use the correct terminology in Algebra.

Variables are unknowns which can change their values - we use letters to show them.
a, b, m, p, t , x, y, za,b,m,p,t,x,y,z are all variables.

Constants are values which stay the same and always have the same value. We call them numbers:

17, -51, 72, 1/2, -27, -2 3/417,51,72,12,27,234 are all constants.

The numerical coefficient is the number part of a term.
The literal coefficient is the letter(variable) part of a term

In the term 3x^2 y," " 33x2y, 3 is the numerical coefficient.
color(white)(...............................) x^2y is the literal coefficient.

So in this case, we want a variable with a coefficient of -3 and a constant of 17. We will write two separate terms.

-3x+17