Step by step
The question
Question: name the terms, the coefficients and the constant of 5x² − 3x + 2.
5x2 − 3x + 2
1 Split into terms
Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.
Each sign stays with the term after it.
So the terms are 5x², −3x and 2.
= terms: 5x2, −3x, 2
Careful!
The minus sign goes with the term.
It is −3x, not 3x.
Careful: not 3x ✗
2 Name each part
A coefficient is the number in front of a letter: 5 for x² and −3 for x.
A constant has no letter: 2.
= coefficients: 5, −3 constant: 2
3 Check
Let's check: put the terms back together.
5x² plus −3x plus 2.
Adding a negative is taking away.
We get 5x² − 3x + 2 again.
So the answer is right!
5x² + (−3x) + 2 = 5x² − 3x + 2
Let's look back.
First: split into terms.
Then: name each part.
Last: check.
Answer
= coefficients: 5, −3 constant: 2