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audio read-through Recognizing Products and Sums; Identifying Factors and Terms

DEFINITIONS product, factors, sum, terms
A product is an expression where the last operation is multiplication. In a product, the things being multiplied are called the factors.

A sum is an expression where the last operation is addition. In a sum, the things being added are called the terms.

As an example, consider the expression $\,a(b+c)\,.$ If numbers are chosen for $\,a\,,$ $\,b\,,$ and $\,c\,,$ then here is the order that computations would be done:

Notice that the last operation done is multiplication. Thus, the expression $\,a(b+c)\,$ is a product. The factors are $\,a\,$ and $\,(b+c)\,.$

As a second example, consider the expression $\,ab + c\,.$ Given numbers $\,a\,,$ $\,b\,,$ and $\,c\,,$ here is the order that computations would be done:

Notice that the last operation done is addition. Thus, the expression $\,ab+c\,$ is a sum. The terms are $\,ab\,$ and $\,c\,.$

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Examples

User input is in bold.

The expression $\,3xy\,$ is a product.

The factors are:  3, x, y

Note: The factors must be listed in order from left to right, and must be separated by commas.

The expression $\,-4x(x+2)\,$ is a product.

The factors are:  -4, x, x+2

Note: Do not use parentheses when listing factors. (That is, don't put the  x+2  inside parentheses.)

The expression $\,5x - y + 1\,$ is a sum.

The terms are:  5x, -y, 1

Note: The terms must be listed in order from left to right, and must be separated by commas. Remember that a term includes its sign.

The expression $\,x^2 + 2y^3 - 7\,$ is a sum.

The terms are:  x^2, 2y^3, -7

Note: Exponents are input using the ‘ ^ ’ key.

Master the ideas from this section by practicing below:

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When you're done practicing, move on to:

Identifying Common Factors
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Practice

Click ‘New problem’ to begin!
The expression
is a:
PRODUCT
SUM
The
FACTORS
TERMS
are:
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