6*2 Simplifying Expressions
Terms
As you may remember, terms can be number, variables, or number and variables combined by multiplication or division. Some examples of terms are
n 7 5x x2
Compare the terms 7 and 5x. The value of 5x will change as the value of x changes. If x = 2, then 5x = 5(2) = 10, and if x = 3, then 5x = 5(3) = 15. Notice, though, that the value of 7 never changes-it remains constant. When a term contains a number only, if is called a constant term.