Parts of 3xy + 2x - 5y - 1

Step by step

The question

Question: name the terms, the coefficients and the constant of 3xy + 2x − 5y − 1.

1 Split into terms

Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.

Each sign stays with the term after it.

So the terms are 3xy, 2x, −5y and −1.

Careful!

The minus sign goes with the term.

It is −1, not 1.

2 Name each part

A coefficient is the number in front of a letter: 3 for xy, 2 for x and −5 for y.

A constant has no letter: −1.

3 Check

Let's check: put the terms back together.

3xy plus 2x plus −5y plus −1.

Adding a negative is taking away.

We get 3xy + 2x − 5y − 1 again.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: split into terms.

Then: name each part.

Last: check.