Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos, updates, and tips.


Coefficient of a Variable

The symbol or number appearing before a variable used in an algebraic term is called its coefficient.

For Example:

In -7ab, 7a is the coefficient of b and -7 is the coefficient of ab etc.

In -pq, -1 is coefficient of pq.


Definition of Coefficient:

Any factor or group of factors of a product is known as the coefficient of remaining factors.

For Example: 

In product 6mxy,

6 is the coefficient of mxy,

6x is the coefficient of my,

xy is the coefficient of 6m,

mxy is the coefficient of 6 and so on……. 


Note: In the term 'm', the coefficient of m is 1 since 1 times m is equal to m. Similarly, in the term '-m' the coefficient of m is -1 since -1 times m is equal to -m.

If a factor is a numerical quantity, it is called numeral coefficient of remaining factors and if the factor involves letters, it is called the literal coefficient of remaining factors.

For example:

(i) In product 11xy, we get;

11 is numerical coefficient of xy,

x is literal coefficient of 11y,

xy is literal coefficient of 11,

y is literal coefficient of 11x

11y is literal coefficient of x and so on…….


(ii) In product -7ab, we get;

-7 is numerical coefficient of ab,

a is literal coefficient of -7b,

ab is literal coefficient of -7,

b is literal coefficient of -7a

-7b is literal coefficient of a and so on…….


(iii) In product 3m2n, we get;

3 is numerical coefficient of m2n,

m2 is literal coefficient of 3n,

m2n is literal coefficient of 3,

n is literal coefficient of 3m2

3n is literal coefficient of m2 and so on…….


Write the coefficient of 'a' in each of the following:

(i) 5a

(ii) 5/2ab2

(iii) a

(iv) -a

(v) 9abc

(vi) -7ax

Solution:

(i) 5a

The coefficient of a is 5

(ii) 5/2ab2

The coefficient of a is 5/2b2

(iii) a

The coefficient of a is 1 [Since a = 1 ∙ a]

(iv) -a

The coefficient of a is -1 [Since -a = -1 ∙ a]

(v) 9abc

The coefficient of a is 9bc

(vi) -7ax

The coefficient of a is -7x

Coefficient - Worksheet

Worksheet on Coefficients




Algebra Page

6th Grade Page

From Coefficient to HOME PAGE




Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.




Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Worksheet on Rounding Decimals | Questions Related to Round a Decimal

    May 14, 25 04:21 PM

    The worksheet on rounding decimals would be really good for the students to practice huge number of questions related to round a decimal. This worksheet include questions related

    Read More

  2. Rounding Decimals | How to Round a Decimal? | Rounding off Decimal

    May 14, 25 03:01 PM

    Rounding decimals are frequently used in our daily life mainly for calculating the cost of the items. In mathematics rounding off decimal is a technique used to estimate or to find the approximate

    Read More

  3. Worksheet on Rounding Off Number | Rounding off Number | Nearest 10

    May 14, 25 12:50 PM

    In worksheet on rounding off number we will solve 10 different types of problems. 1. Round off to nearest 10 each of the following numbers: (a) 14 (b) 57 (c) 61 (d) 819 (e) 7729 2. Round off to

    Read More

  4. Rounding Off to the Nearest Whole Number | Nearest 10, 100, and 1000

    May 13, 25 03:43 PM

    Nearest Ten
    Here we will learn how to rounding off to the nearest whole number?

    Read More

  5. Conversion of Improper Fractions into Mixed Fractions |Solved Examples

    May 12, 25 04:52 AM

    Conversion of Improper Fractions into Mixed Fractions
    In conversion of improper fractions into mixed fractions, we follow the following steps: Step I: Obtain the improper fraction. Step II: Divide the numerator by the denominator and obtain the quotient…

    Read More