mathematical terms - sorry if this is in the wrong forum

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September 9th 2009, 12:56 PM
absvalue

mathematical terms - sorry if this is in the wrong forum

Hi,

I apologize if this is posted in the incorrect forum. I couldn't quite find one that seemed appropriate.

I have a question about terms in mathematics:

Given the expression:

$(x + 2)(x + 5)$

Could $(x + 2)$ be called a "term" in the expression? Or could it be called a factor of the expression? I guess I'm looking for what to call it.

I've done some google searches, but couldn't find anything.

Thanks,
September 9th 2009, 01:20 PM
Charchar

I dont think we can call it a term because a term is broken up by addition or subtraction signs. The x and 2 in (x+2) are called variable and monomial, respectivly. Other than that I dont know what to call it. I did find this site, though, that is like an algebraic dictionary:Algebra Homework Help : Algebraic Terms & Definitions
September 9th 2009, 01:44 PM
Matt Westwood

Quote:

Originally Posted by absvalue

Hi,

I apologize if this is posted in the incorrect forum. I couldn't quite find one that seemed appropriate.

I have a question about terms in mathematics:

Given the expression:

$(x + 2)(x + 5)$

Could $(x + 2)$ be called a "term" in the expression? Or could it be called a factor of the expression? I guess I'm looking for what to call it.

I've done some google searches, but couldn't find anything.

Thanks,

It would be a "factor".

However, in that factor $x+2$ , you have two "terms": $x$ and $2$ .

Now, if it were $3(x + 2)$ , the $3$ would then be a "coefficient", which can be loosely understood to be a "constant factor".