Step by step
The question
Question: name the terms, the coefficients and the constant of −2x + 7y − 3.
−2x + 7y − 3
1 Split into terms
Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.
Each sign stays with the term after it.
So the terms are −2x, 7y and −3.
= terms: −2x, 7y, −3
Careful!
The minus sign goes with the term.
It is −3, not 3.
Careful: not constant 3 ✗
2 Name each part
A coefficient is the number in front of a letter: −2 for x and 7 for y.
A constant has no letter: −3.
= coefficients: −2, 7 constant: −3
3 Check
Let's check: put the terms back together.
−2x plus 7y plus −3.
Adding a negative is taking away.
We get −2x + 7y − 3 again.
So the answer is right!
−2x + 7y + (−3) = −2x + 7y − 3
Let's look back.
First: split into terms.
Then: name each part.
Last: check.
Answer
= coefficients: −2, 7 constant: −3