Term (mathematics)

A term is a mathematical expression which may form a separable part of an equation, a series, or another expression.

Definition

In elementary mathematics, a term is either a single number or variable, or the product of several numbers or variables, separated from another term by a + or − sign in an overall expression. For example, in

3 + 4x + 5yzw

3, 4x, and 5yzw are all terms.

In the context of polynomials, sometimes term is used for a monomial with a coefficient: to 'collect like terms' in a polynomial is the basic operation of making it a linear combination of distinct monomials.

A series is often represented as the sum of a sequence of terms.

In general mathematical use, however, term is not limited to additive expressions. Individual factors in an expression representing a product are multiplicative terms. Indeed, individual elements of any mathematical expression may be referred to as terms.

Terms also appear in logic.

Specific names for terms

addition and subtraction

• Addend
• Subtrahend and minuend are the first and second terms, respectively, in subtraction

multiplication

Factor. In a multiplication of two factors, the first is called the multiplicand and the second is called the multiplier.

divisions and fractions

The top of a division is called the numerator (or dividend), and the bottom is called the denominator (or divisor).

term value

the value of the term such as the term value of 8 is 8.

See also

• Like and unlike terms

References

• Schwartzman, Steven (1994). The words of mathematics: An etymological dictionary of mathematical terms used in English. The Mathematical Association of America. pp. 219. ISBN 0-88385-511-9.