Understanding ‘Terms’ of an Algebraic expression

We will start with understanding the meaning of ‘terms’ of an equation. In an equation we have several parts connected by + or -, each of such part is called as ‘term’ of an expression.

For example 4x + 3y expression has two parts joined by ‘+’, these parts 4x and 3y are called as terms of the expression.

Notice that the terms are separated by ‘+’ and ‘-’ only. Thus in 3xy there is only one term , while in x + 2y there are two terms.

And also the sign along with term is important.

Monomial : An expression consisting of one term is a monomial. Thus 2xy, 5x, 30 are all examples of monomials.

Binomial: An expression consisting of two terms is a binomial. Thus x -y, 2a + b, 5xy + 3yz , 5x -3 are all binomials.

Trinomial: An expression consisting of three terms is called a trinomial. Examples are 3x + 4y -z, a + b -c

Polynomial: Expressions consisting of several terms are called multinomials or polunomials. Example 5x + 6y -2z + 4 is a polynomial