COEFFICIENT

Coefficient

Definition Of Coefficient

The Coefficient of a term in an expression is the number which is multiplied by one or more variables or powers of variables in the term.

More About Coefficient

Coefficients can be positive or negative or zero.
While adding or subtracting polynomials, you just have to add or subtract the coefficients in the like terms.

Video Examples: Maths Tutorial: Pearson's correlation coefficient

Example of Coefficient

5x - 3: Here 5 is the coefficient of the linear term 5x.
3xy 2 - 7z: Here 3 and - 7 are the coefficients of the first and second terms respectively.

Solved Example onCoefficient

Ques: Find the coefficient of p in p 3 + 2p 2 - 5p - 1.

Choices:

A. 1
B. - 1
C. 2
D. - 5
Correct Answer: D

Solution:

Step 1: The coefficient of p in the expression p 3 + 2p 2 - 5p - 1 is -5.

Quick Summary

Coefficients are the numerical part of a term with variables.
Coefficients can be positive, negative, or zero.
Coefficients are used when adding or subtracting like terms in polynomials.

\[ ax, where 'a' is the coefficient of 'x' \]

🍎 Teacher Insights

Use real-world examples to illustrate the concept of coefficients, such as the number of apples in a basket if 'a' represents the number of baskets.

🎓 Prerequisites

Variables
Terms
Expressions
Polynomials

Check Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the coefficient of 'p' in the expression p³ + 2p² - 5p - 1?

1 -1 2 -5

Q2: What is the coefficient of x in the expression 7x + 3y - 2?

7 3 -2 0

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the coefficient in the term -5y?
A: The coefficient is -5.

Q: If a term is just 'x', what is its coefficient?
A: The coefficient is 1, because 'x' is the same as '1x'.