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

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

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-14T11:19:44

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

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

Like terms are those which have exactly the same variables

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

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 , $8$ $8$ 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 $5 x^{2}$ $5x^2$ , the numerical coefficient is 5. The literal coefficient is $x^{2}$ $x^2$

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

The coefficient of $x$ $x$ is $5 x$ $5x$

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

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

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

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

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

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

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