in a paragraph, describe what a variable and coefficient are in an algebraic expression.
1 answer
In an algebraic expression, a variable represents a quantity that can vary or change. It is typically represented by a letter, such as x or y. The value of a variable can be determined by solving the equation or expression it is a part of. For example, in the expression 3x + 5, x is the variable. On the other hand, a coefficient is the number or constant that is multiplied by the variable. It represents the magnitude of the variable's effect on the expression. In the same example, 3 is the coefficient. Coefficients can be positive, negative, or zero, and they affect the overall value of the expression.