Which word describes a combination of constants, variables and coefficients like 32x + 56?

Prepare for your Leaving Certificate Mathematics exam with a comprehensive practice test featuring key definitions. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations to ensure success and mastery of fundamental math concepts.

Multiple Choice

Which word describes a combination of constants, variables and coefficients like 32x + 56?

Explanation:
The key idea is recognizing what an expression is. An expression is a combination of numbers, variables and operations, with no equals sign. In 32x + 56, you have the constant 32 multiplying the variable x, plus the constant 56. There’s no equals sign, so it isn’t an equation. This fits the idea of an expression. It's also true that this expression is a polynomial, since it’s a sum of terms with the variable x to nonnegative integer powers (x^1 and x^0). But the broader term that best fits “a combination of constants, variables and coefficients” without asserting equality is an expression.

The key idea is recognizing what an expression is. An expression is a combination of numbers, variables and operations, with no equals sign. In 32x + 56, you have the constant 32 multiplying the variable x, plus the constant 56. There’s no equals sign, so it isn’t an equation. This fits the idea of an expression.

It's also true that this expression is a polynomial, since it’s a sum of terms with the variable x to nonnegative integer powers (x^1 and x^0). But the broader term that best fits “a combination of constants, variables and coefficients” without asserting equality is an expression.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy