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·
Letters represent
an unknown or generic real
number
·
Sometimes with
restrictions, such as a member
of a certain set, or the set
of values that makes an equation
true.
·
Often a letter
from the end of the alphabet:
x, y, z
·
Or a letter
that stands for a physical
quantity: d for distance,
t for time, etc.
·
Fixed values,
like 2 or 7.
·
Can also be
represented by letters: a,
b, c, p,
e, k
Terms are Separated
by + or –
Factors are multiplied
together.
Coefficients are constant
factors that multiply a variable
or powers of a variable
The middle term has 2 factors,
–3 and x. We say that
the coefficient of x
is –3.
The first term has three
factors, 2 and two factors
of x. We say that 2
is the coefficient of x2.
The last term is a factor
all by itself (although the
number 4 could be factored
into 2 ´ 2).
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