Coefficient - Definition and Examples


A coefficient is a numerical factor of a term. In other words, it is the number that multiplies the variable factor.

For example, in the expression 5x + 2, 5 is the numerical factor and x is the variable factor. 

The coefficient is 5 since 5 is the numerical factor. You can also say that 5 is the number that multiplies the variable factor x.

Coefficients can be found in math equations, mathematical expressions, formulas, ...

More examples of coefficients


1. For the polynomial expression 2a6 + 4a, the coefficients are 2 and 4

2. For the linear equation 3a + 2  = 0, the coefficient is 3

The coefficient is usually located on the left side of the variable. If you do not see any number on the left side of the variable, it is assumed that the coefficient is 1. For example, in the expression x + 9, the coefficient is 1.

This makes sense since 1(x) + 9 = x + 9

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Math words beginning with the letter c

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