An algebraic expression is a collection of terms that are separated by addition and/or subtraction. Terms can be:

•a constant (number by itself) 12

•a variable ( a letter than represents a number) x

•the product of a number and a variable 4y

•the product of two variables xy

•or the product of a constant and more than one variable 3ab²c

Example 1:

4x + 9y - 4

The terms are: 4x, 9y, and -4

The constant is: -4

Example 2:

3x²y - 2xy + xy²

The terms are:3x²y, - 2xy, xy²

The constant is: there is no constant

A coefficient is the number that is being multiplied by a variable. Let's look at a couple of examples:

Sum it up: An algebraic expression is a group of terms that is separated by addition and/or subtraction. Terms are formed by a constant, a variable, or a product of constants and variables. The coefficient is the number that is being multiplied by a variable.

Related Links: Math algebra Positive and Negative Integer Exponents Rational (Fractional) Exponents