Coefficient vs Constant

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:22:41

I think the way it should be is if we have a number a, we can't say it is a coefficient. 2 is not a coefficient. However, I think we can say that 2 is a coefficient of 2x^0.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 11:25:16

2 can be a coefficient based on the context.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:25:53

How about this:

2

Is that a coefficient? I think most people would say 2 on it's own is not one (that's just my thinking).

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 11:27:11

Hm, then how would you say that 2 is a coefficient when you write 2x+1?

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:27:40

I would say that 2 is a coefficient of x in that expression.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 11:29:17

Then I could say that 1 is the coefficient f x^0 in that polynomial.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:30:52

Me too. But I wouldn't say 1 on it's on is a coefficient.

According to Wikipedia

Wikipedia wrote:

For instance in 7x^2-3xy+1.5+y the first two terms respectively have the coefficients 7 and −3. The third term 1.5 is a constant.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 11:34:27

Well, then you couodn't say 2 is a coefficient when talking about the same expression.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:36:37

This is what I mean

in 2x + 1, 2 is a coefficient of x

However, 1 is not a coefficient - it is a constant.

In 2x + 1x^2 though, both 2 and 1 are coefficients.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 11:44:23

MathsIsFun wrote:

What does everyone think about that?

To be honest, it isn't too big of an issue. Such terminology discrepancies occur all the time and it is just a matter of convention (e.g. in the UK they use R^d instead of R^n like here in the US in real analysis).

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 11:58:18

That's true. There's no exact notation for the Stirling numbers, for example.

The R^whatever does not seem like too much a problem either, considering it's the R that matters.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 12:00:05

And I don't think a student will get a mark off on a test for saying 2 is a coefficient or isn't.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 12:08:08

True. It's very dependant on the content. And it's a very narrow concept, seeing hiw I haven't noticed it being used anywhere besides in polynomials and binomial expansions.

Last edited by anonimnystefy (2014-06-13 12:08:38)

David · 2014-06-13 13:10:56

Hmm.. From what I know is : If we have 3xy and the question ask what is the coefficient of y then my answer is 3x.
And another example, if we have 34abc and the question ask find the coefficient of 34 then it's abc.

ShivamS · 2014-06-13 13:12:18

Here, we have two different names. The numerical coefficient of 34 in 34abc is abc and the literal coefficient of 34 in 34abc is abc.

bobbym · 2014-06-13 13:52:34

Hi;

MIF wrote:

What does everyone think about that?

Write the definition you like and whomever disagrees, kill them.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 13:54:39

Yay, constructive crticism!

bobbym · 2014-06-13 13:58:21

No dissent allowed, like in the Middle Ages. What a great time to be alive that must have been.

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-13 14:47:56

It depends on perspective.

MathsIsFun · 2014-06-13 23:28:11

I have updated the definition to this:

I wrote:

Coefficient
A number used to multiply a variable.
Example: 6z means 6 times z, and "z" is a variable, so 6 is a coefficient.

Sometimes a letter stands in for the number.
Example: In ax² + bx + c, "x" is a variable, and "a" and "b" are coefficients.

See Definition of Coefficient

Let me know if you feel it can be improved.

Agnishom · 2014-06-13 23:54:28

A number used to multiply a variable

Use instead: Something used to multiply the concerned variable

anonimnystefy · 2014-06-14 00:00:43

Yes, that way, the definition encompasses stuff like (k^2+1)x+2.

Math Is Fun Forum

#26 2014-06-13 11:22:41

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#27 2014-06-13 11:25:16

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#28 2014-06-13 11:25:53

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#29 2014-06-13 11:27:11

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#30 2014-06-13 11:27:40

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#31 2014-06-13 11:29:17

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#32 2014-06-13 11:30:52

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#33 2014-06-13 11:34:27

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#34 2014-06-13 11:36:37

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#35 2014-06-13 11:44:23

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#36 2014-06-13 11:58:18

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#37 2014-06-13 12:00:05

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#38 2014-06-13 12:08:08

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#39 2014-06-13 13:10:56

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#40 2014-06-13 13:12:18

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#41 2014-06-13 13:52:34

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#42 2014-06-13 13:54:39

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#43 2014-06-13 13:58:21

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#44 2014-06-13 14:47:56

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#45 2014-06-13 23:28:11

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#46 2014-06-13 23:54:28

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

#47 2014-06-14 00:00:43

Re: Coefficient vs Constant

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