Term

Pronunciation: /tɜrm/ Explain

A term is a part of an expression that is separated from other terms by addition or subtraction. A term consists of a coefficient and zero or more variables.

the term 3a^2b, of which 3 is the coefficient and a^2b is the variables

Terms are enumerated (counted) from left to right.

the expression '3xy^3+x^2y+y' where '3xy^3' is the first term, 'x^2y' is the second term and 'y' is the third term.

Constant Term

A constant term of an expression is a term without any variables. In the expression 3x2 + 5x - 2, the constant term is -2.

Like Terms

Two terms are like terms if they have the same variable(s) and each variable has the same exponent. 3x2 is like 5x2 because the variable x is both, and the exponent of x is 2 in both.

Check Mark Understanding Check

  1. Are the terms 2b and 0.5b like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.
  2. Are the terms 3y2 and 3y3 like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.
  3. Are the terms 3y and 3 like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.
  4. Are the terms 2 and 7 like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.
  5. Are the terms xy and 12xy like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.
  6. Are the terms 2xy2 and 4xy like terms?
    no answerYes.
    no answerNo.

References

  1. McAdams, David E.. All Math Words Dictionary, term. 2nd Classroom edition 20150108-4799968. pg 177. Life is a Story Problem LLC. January 8, 2015. Buy the book

More Information

  • McAdams, David E.. Expression. allmathwords.org. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem, LLC. 12/16/2018. http://www.allmathword.org/en/e/expression.html.

Cite this article as:

McAdams, David E. Term. 5/13/2019. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem LLC. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/t/term.html.

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Revision History

5/13/2019: Changed equations and expressions to new format. (McAdams, David E.)
12/21/2018: Reviewed and corrected IPA pronunication. (McAdams, David E.)
12/16/2018: Corrected checkbox code for fifth understanding check. (McAdams, David E.)
12/13/2018: Removed broken links, updated license, implemented new markup. (McAdams, David E.)
8/7/2018: Changed vocabulary links to WORDLINK format. (McAdams, David E.)
1/30/2009: Added constant term. (McAdams, David E.)
11/27/2008: Added parts of a term. (McAdams, David E.)
5/20/2008: Added enumeration of terms, like terms, and 'More Information'. (McAdams, David E.)
7/11/2007: Initial version. (McAdams, David E.)

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