what is term in maths

A term in mathematics, especially in algebra, is either a single number (called a constant), a variable, or the product of numbers and variables. Terms are the individual parts of an expression separated by addition (+) or subtraction (−) signs. For example, in the expression 3+4x+5yzw3+4x+5yzw3+4x+5yzw, the terms are 333, 4x4x4x, and 5yzw5yzw5yzw

. More specifically:

• A term can be a constant like 9 or −17.
• A term can be a variable like xxx, aaa, or g3g^3g3.
• A term can be a product of numbers and variables, such as 2x2x2x, −14z-14z−14z, or xyzxyzxyz.
• Terms may also include variables raised to powers (exponents), for example x2x^2x2 or 5x35x^35x3

In polynomials, terms are monomials with coefficients. Like terms have the same variables raised to the same powers and can be combined by addition or subtraction (e.g., 5x5x5x and 8x8x8x). Unlike terms have different variables or powers and cannot be combined directly (e.g., 5x5x5x and 8y8y8y)

. In summary, terms are the building blocks of algebraic expressions, separated mainly by addition or subtraction, and can be constants, variables, or products thereof