PrepareFactorization · 3 min read
Concept of Terms & Factors
Concept of Terms and Factors
To understand this topic very well, we must first know the meaning of Term and Factor.
Term
A term is like a single block in a building that you add or remove to change the size.
Term: This is the value, number, or variable(s) which is to be added or subtracted ('subtracting' means adding a negative number).
Think of a term as any part of a math sentence separated by a plus or minus sign.
Factor
A factor is a number or letter that we use to multiply another thing to get a result.
Factor: A factor is a value, or number, or variable(s) that is to be multiplied.
In simple language, factors are the things we multiply together.
Formulas for Terms and Factors
Sum = term + term
Product = factor x factor
For Example
Look at this expression: a = 3 (5b - 7)
In this example, 3 and (5b - 7) are two things we multiply together to get the answer 'a'.
Therefore, 3 and (5b - 7) in the above formula are factors which are multiplied to get the product 'a'.
Inside the bracket, we have 5b and 7, which are separated by a minus sign.
5b - 7 is a term which is added. 3 and (5b - 7) are the factors which are multiplied.
Key points
- •A 'term' is a value, number, or variable(s) that is to be added or subtracted in an expression.
- •A 'factor' is a value, number, or variable(s) that is to be multiplied in an expression.
- •A sum is formed by adding terms (e.g., term + term).
- •A product is formed by multiplying factors (e.g., factor x factor).