What is the coefficient in the term 5x^2?

What is the coefficient in the term 5x^2?

• A. 5
• B. x^2
• C. 2
• D. 25

Answer: (A)

Coefficient is the numeric factor that multiplies the variable part of a term. In 5x^2, the x^2 is the variable part, and the 5 in front is the numeric factor that multiplies it. So the coefficient is 5. The x^2 part is the variable portion, not the coefficient. The 2 is the exponent, showing how many times x is used, not the multiplier. 25 is not the multiplier in front of the term.

Coefficient is the numeric factor that multiplies the variable part of a term. In 5x^2, the x^2 is the variable part, and the 5 in front is the numeric factor that multiplies it. So the coefficient is 5. The x^2 part is the variable portion, not the coefficient. The 2 is the exponent, showing how many times x is used, not the multiplier. 25 is not the multiplier in front of the term.