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In the term $\,4xy\,$, the coefficient is $\,4\,$ and the variable part is $\,xy\,$.
In the term $\,-7x^2y^3\,$, the coefficient is $\,-7\,$ and the variable part is $\,x^2y^3\,$.

If you don't ‘see’ a coefficient, then it is $\,1\,$.
That is, $\,x = (1)x\,$ has coefficient $\,1\,$.
Also, $\,x^2y^3 = (1)x^2y^3\,$ has coefficient $\,1\,$.
It's never necessary to write a coefficient of $\,1\,$, because multiplication by $\,1\,$ doesn't change anything.

A term like $\,2\,$ that has no variable part is called a constant term,
because it is constant—it never changes.
It has no variable part that can ‘hold’ different values.
Thus $\,\frac{1}{2}\,$, $\,\sqrt{3}\,$, and $\,9.4\,$ are all constant terms.

In any term, it is conventional to write the numerical coefficient first.
Thus, you should write $\,4xy\,$, not $\,xy4\,$ or $\,x4y\,$.

Also, it is conventional to write any variable(s) in alphabetical order.
Thus, you usually want to write $\,5xy\,$, not $\,5yx\,$. Similarly, write $\,x^2yz\,$, not $\,yx^2z\,$ or $\,yzx^2\,$.

For this web exercise, when reporting the variable part, variables must be written in alphabetical order.
The user input is in bold in the example below.

Master the ideas from this section
by practicing the exercise at the bottom of this page.

When you're done practicing, move on to:
Combining Like Terms