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Coefficient
See It in Action
Two examples of the idea done right—and one common look-alike that is not right.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NON-EXAMPLE
Definition
A coefficient is a number that is multiplied by a variable in an algebraic expression. For example, in the expression 5x, the number 5 is the coefficient of the variable x.
Here's a quick rundown:
In the term 7y, 7 is the coefficient and y is the variable.
In the expression -3a^2 , -3 is the coefficient, and a^2 is the variable part.
If there’s no number explicitly written in front of the variable, it’s understood to be 1. For instance, in x or 4x, the coefficient of x is 1 (in the first case) and 4 (in the second case).
Coefficients can be positive, negative, fractions, or even decimals, depending on the problem.
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