Term in Math – Definition, Examples, Practice Problems, FAQs
reviewed by Florence Khitsane
Updated on September 28, 2026
A term in math is a single number (a constant), a single variable (a letter), or the product of numbers and variables — for example, 3, y, or 5xy. Terms are the building blocks of algebraic expressions, and each term is separated from the next by a plus (+) or minus (−) sign.
Learning to spot terms is the first step toward working with algebra. Once students can pick out the terms in an expression, they can identify like terms, combine them, and simplify expressions with confidence — a skill pre-algebra tutors reinforce with steady practice.
What Is an Algebraic Expression?
An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that combines numbers, operations, and at least one variable. That variable is what sets it apart from a purely numerical expression: 5 + 5 is a numerical expression, while 3x + 7 is an algebraic expression because it includes the variable x.
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Terms Definition in Math
A term is a part of an expression separated by addition or subtraction signs. It can be a number (a constant), a letter (a variable), or a product of the two. In the expression 3 + 5y, there are two terms: 3 and 5y. Constants are fixed values, while variables are letters that can stand for different values.
What Are the Terms in an Expression?
The terms in an expression are the individual numbers, variables, and products it is built from; the operation signs between them are not terms. In the expression 8x + 4 + y, there are three terms: 8x, 4, and y. The plus signs simply separate one term from the next.
Parts of a Term: Factors, Coefficients, and Constants
It helps to keep the vocabulary straight. The table below summarizes the parts of a term, using the expression 5xy + 3 as an example.
| Part | What it is | Example (in 5xy + 3) |
| Term | A number, a variable, or a product, set off by + or − | 5xy and 3 |
| Factor | An element multiplied together inside a term | 5, x, and y |
| Coefficient | The number that multiplies the variable(s) | 5 |
| Variable | A letter that stands for a value | x and y |
| Constant | A term with no variable | 3 |
What Are the Factors of a Term?
The factors of a term are the individual elements multiplied together to make it. For example, the term 6x has two factors: 6 and x. Breaking a term into its factors is what lets you simplify expressions and, later, factor algebraic expressions when you solve equations.
Types of Terms: Like and Unlike Terms
There are two types of terms in algebra, and telling them apart is the key to simplifying expressions. Always compare the variables and their exponents first — even a small difference makes the terms unlike.
- Like terms have exactly the same variable raised to exactly the same power, such as 3x² and 7x² (or 3x and 7x). Like terms can be combined.
- Unlike terms have different variables or different powers, such as 5x and 3y, or 5x² and 5x³. Unlike terms cannot be combined and must stay separate.
What Is a Coefficient in an Expression?
A coefficient is the number that multiplies a variable in a term. In the expression 9x + 3, the coefficient is 9, because that is the number the variable x is multiplied by. A term like x on its own has a coefficient of 1, even though the 1 is not written.
Solved Examples on Terms in Math
These worked examples show how to identify the terms, factors, and coefficients in an expression.
- Example 1: In 2x³ − 5x² + 7x − 3, the terms are 2x³, −5x², 7x, and −3. The factors of 2x³ are 2, x, x, and x; of −5x² they are −5, x, and x; of 7x they are 7 and x. The coefficients are 2, −5, and 7, and −3 is the constant term.
- Example 2: In 4a + 7b − 9, the terms are 4a, 7b, and −9. The factors of 4a are 4 and a; of 7b they are 7 and b. The coefficients are 4 and 7, and −9 is the constant term.
Practice Questions on Terms in Math
Identify the terms, factors, and coefficients in each expression, then check the answers below.
- 4x²y − 3xy² + 2x − y
- 5x³ − 3x²y + 7x² − 8
- 2x⁴ − 6x³ + 9x² − 5
Answers: 1) terms 4x²y, −3xy², 2x, −y; coefficients 4, −3, 2, −1. 2) terms 5x³, −3x²y, 7x², −8; coefficients 5, −3, 7. 3) terms 2x⁴, −6x³, 9x², −5; coefficients 2, −6, 9.
Terms in Math: Practice Test
Try these questions, then check the marked answers.
Terms in Math Worksheets
Put this into practice with related Brighterly worksheets:
- Algebraic Expressions Worksheets
- Algebra Worksheets
- Pre-Algebra Worksheets
- Order Of Operations Worksheets
Frequently Asked Questions About Terms in Math
What Is a Term in Math?
A term in math is a single part of an expression or equation, separated from other parts by a plus or minus sign. It can be a constant (a fixed number), a variable (a letter that can change), or a product of the two, such as 2x. Terms are the pieces that expressions are built from.
What Are Some Examples of Terms in Math?
In the expression 14 − 3x + 9y, the terms are 14, −3x, and 9y. In 6x + 7 × 13y + 5, the middle part simplifies to 91y, so the terms are 6x, 91y, and 5. Each term is a number, a variable, or a product, separated from the others by an operation sign.
How Do You Find Terms in Math?
To find the terms, look for the parts of an expression separated by plus or minus signs, and count each constant, variable, or product as one term. Anything multiplied together stays in a single term. For example, 5y × 12 is one term, because the parts are multiplied rather than added or subtracted.
What Does a Term Mean in an Equation?
In an equation, a term is one of the parts joined by plus or minus signs. Each term is a constant, a variable, or a product of the two, and the equation is built by adding and subtracting these terms. For example, in 3x + 5 = 11, the left side has two terms, 3x and 5.
Is 2x a Term in Math?
Yes, 2x is a term. It is the product of the coefficient 2 and the variable x. According to the definition of a term, a single number, a single variable, or a product of numbers and variables all count as terms — so 2x qualifies as one term.
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