1. Parts of an Algebraic Expression

2. Algebraic Expression An algebraic expression is a collection of terms that are separated by addition and/or subtraction.

3. Terms 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

4. Example 1 4x + 9y - 4 The terms are: 4x, 9y, and -4 The constant is: -4

5. Example 2 3x2y - 2xy + xy2 The terms are:3x2y, - 2xy, xy2 The constant is: there is no constant

6. Coefficient A coefficient is the number that is being multiplied by a variable. Let's look at a couple of examples: -3x the coefficient is -3 2 x2ythe coefficient is 2 -xy the coefficient is -1 abc the coefficient is the "understood" 1

7. 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.