Term (mathematics)
A term is a mathematical expression.
Definition
changeIn elementary mathematics, a term is either a single number or variable, or the product of several numbers or variables. Terms are separated by a + or - sign in an overall expression. For example, in
- 3 + 4x + 5yzw
3, 4x, and 5yzw are three separate terms.
In the context of polynomials, term can mean a monomial with a coefficient. To combine like terms in a polynomial is to make it a linear combination of distinct monomials. For example,
- 3x + 2x2 + 5x + 1 = 2x2 + (3+5)x + 1 = 2x2 + 8x + 1, with like terms collected.
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".
In logic, a term is a collection of symbols used to represent a mathematical object (rather than a mathematical statement). A basic term is either a constant or a variable, while more complex terms can also be built using operators (such as the term ). To refer to a term, variables such as and are often used.[1]
In informal logic, a term can also refer to the subject or predicate of a statement.[2]
Specific names for terms
change- Addition and Subtraction
- Addend
- Subtrahend and minuend 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 8a, if a=1, is 8.
Related pages
changeReferences
changeCitations
change- ↑ "Comprehensive List of Logic Symbols". Math Vault. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
- ↑ "Term | logic". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
Sources
change- 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.
