Question

Identify the coefficient(s) in the following expression: 10x + 5y – 8y

Answer 1

A coefficient is the quantity before a variable that multiplies the variable. For example, for $11x$, 11 is the coefficient. For $x$, 1 is the coefficient.

Here, there's a 10 in front of the x-term, a 5 in front of the first y-term, and a –8 in front of the second y-term. These are your coefficients, but your teacher may want you to simplify first. $10x+5y-8y=10x-3y$. If this is the case, then the coefficients are 10 and –3.

Answer 2

The answer is 10, 5 and, -8, as the coefficient is the number in front of the variable.