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Algebraic Expressions

    Terms of an Expression

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7th class > Algebraic Expressions > Terms of an Expression

Terms of an Expression

We shall now put in a systematic form what we have learnt above about how expressions are formed. For this purpose, we need to understand what terms of an expression and their factors are.

Consider the expression (4x + 5). In forming this expression, we first formed 4x separately as a product of 4 and x and then added 5 to it.

Similarly consider the expression (3x2+7y) Here we first formed 3x2 separately as a product of 3, x and x. We then formed 7y separately as a product of 7 and y. Having formed 3x2 and 7y separately, we added them to get the expression.

You will find that the expressions we deal with can always be seen this way.

They have parts which are formed separately and then added. Such parts of an expression which are formed separately first and then added are known as terms.

Look at the expression (4x2-3xy) .We say that it has two terms, 4x2 and –3xy. The term 4x2 is a product of 4, x and x, and the term −3xy is a product of (–3), x and y.

Terms are added to form expressions. Just as the terms 4x and 5 are added to form the expression (4x + 5), the terms (4x2) and -3xy are added to give the expression (4x2-3xy). This is because 4x2 + (–3xy) = 4x2 – 3xy.

Note, the minus sign (–) is included in the term. In the expression (4x2- 3xy), we took the term as (–3xy) and not as (3xy). That is why we do not need to say that terms are ‘added or subtracted’ to form an expression; just ‘added’ is enough.