Coefficient and Constant in Algebra

What is Coefficient and Constant in Algebra

COEFFICIENT:

In algebra, a number in front of a variable is called coefficient. 

For example, 

in the term 3a, 

3 is the coefficient of a.

Remember, in algebra 

3a means 3 × a

The ×'s are mostly left out to make it clearer.

Thus, the coefficient multiplies with the variable or variables.

In the term 5xy,

5 is coefficient of xy

If the variable comes all alone in the expression, for example

2m + n 

then the coefficient of n is 1 because 

n = 1n = 1 × n 

CONSTANT: 

A number on its own, with no variable, is called constant. 

For example, in expression 

8s + t + 4

4 is the number which is all alone, with no variable. So, 4 is the constant in above expression. 

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