A term in a polynomial is a single mathematical expression that can be a constant, a variable, or a combination of both multiplied by coefficients. Terms are separated by addition (+) or subtraction (–) operators. For instance, in the polynomial 3x² + 5x – 2, there are three terms: 3x², 5x, and -2.
Each term consists of a coefficient (the number in front) and a variable part (the letter x in this case) raised to a power. The term 3x² has a coefficient of 3 and the variable x raised to the power of 2; 5x has a coefficient of 5 and x raised to the power of 1; and -2 is a constant term without a variable.
Understanding terms is crucial because they are the building blocks of polynomials, which can be used in various mathematical applications, from solving equations to modeling real-world scenarios.