Identify the terms of each expression and coefficient of each term.
1. 7x + 8y
2. a-b
3. 3m^2-6n

A term of an expression is the different pieces that are separated by the plus and minus signs.

A coefficient of a term is the number part of a term that is attached to the variable.

1) 7x + 8y

The terms are 7x and 8y.  The coefficient of the first term, 7x, is 7.  The coefficient of the second term, 8y, is 8.

2) a - b

The terms are a and b.  The coefficients of both of these terms are 1, however they are not written because they are implied.

3) 3m^2 - 6n

The terms are 3m^2 and 6n.  The coefficient of the first term, 3m^2, is 3.  The coefficient of the second term, 6n, is 6.

1).  Terms:               7x and 8y

       Coefficients:    7 and 'x'
                                 8 and 'y'

2).  Terms:               'a'  and  'b'

       Coefficients:    'a' and '1'
                                'b' and '1'
          (If the coefficient is '1', it's not written; but it's there.)

3).  Terms:       3m²  and  -6n

       Coefficients:    3  and  m²  
                               -6  and   n