Equations, expressions and terms

A term is a number (like $3$ ) or a variable (like $x$ ) or a number and a variable multiplied together (like $3x$ ).

In an equation such as $y = 3x - 1$ , the terms are $y$ , $3x$ and $-1$ .

We can use the word term in sentences like “One is subtracted from the $3x$ term.” and “The first term in $3x - 1$ is $3x$ .”

An expression is two or more terms connected by an addition or subtraction. $3x - 1$ is an expression.

Here are some more examples of expressions:

$2 + 4$

$4x - 2$

$2x + 2 - y$