In the expression -7x-3x^2+5 what is the coefficient of x?

i don't understand what does coefficient is can you help?

1 answer

a polynomial has several terms, involving powers of a variable.
Each term is a constant times a variable raised to some power.
The terms are separated by + and -.
In each term the factors are multiplied.

In the given polynomial, the terms are

-7x, -3x^2, 5

The variable is x, the coefficient is the number multiplying the variable in its several powers. So, the coefficients are

-7, -3, 5

Surely your class text has explained this.