Coefficients
(KS2, Year 6)

A coefficient is a number that is placed in front of a variable. The coefficient is multiplying the variable.

Real Examples of Coefficients

It is easier to understand coefficients with examples.

• Consider the term below:
  
  6 is the coefficient of x.
• Consider the expression below. One of the coefficients is a letter rather than a number:
  
  a (a constant) is the coefficient of x². 1 is the coefficient of x, even though no number or letter is written in front of it (see Note). 2 is the coefficient of y.

Understanding Coefficients

Think of a letter in algebra as an object. We can count the objects. x is one x. If we add one x to one x, we get two x's. The coefficient of 2 is telling us we have 2 x's. Another way of saying this is that the 2 is multiplying the x after it: If there was a coefficient of 3 in front of an x, we would have 3 x's:

Letters As Coefficients

Letters can be used as coefficients. For example, a standard linear equation is y = mx + c. The m is the coefficient of the x term.The letter still represents a number. The m could be a 2 or a −3 for different linear equations.

A Term Without a Number in Front of it Has a Coefficient of 1

Sometimes a term will not have a number in front of it.

Don't be fooled. It still has a coefficient. The coefficient is 1.

Positive, Negative and Fractional Coefficients

Coefficients can be positive, negative and fractional.