Term (mathematics)

A term is an operand or an operator in a mathematical expression.

Definition

In an equation, the terms are all the numbers/variables (like $2$ or $n$) and all the operators (like $+$ or $\times$). Terms can be grouped in brackets (often parentheses) in an overall expression. For example, in

$3+4x+5y$

3, $+$, 4, $x$, $+$, 5 and $y$ are seven separate terms.

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

Related pages

• Operands
• Operator
• Formula
• Equation
• Inequality

References

Sources

• 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.