What is an Algebraic Term?
Fact-checked: March 15, 2026
Definition
An algebraic term is a single expression made of numbers and variables connected by multiplication or division, without being separated by plus or minus signs.
Introduction to Algebraic Terms
A number, a variable, or a product or quotient of numbers and variables represents a single quantity. When such a quantity forms an algebraic expression with only one term, it is called an algebraic term.
Let’s look at some examples to understand the concept of an algebraic term in mathematics.
Example
$6$
$6$ is a number that represents a single quantity in an algebraic expression. Therefore, it is called an algebraic term.
Example
$x$
$x$ is a variable that represents a quantity in a single-term expression. Therefore, it is called an algebraic term.
Example
$-2x$
$−2$ is an integer and $x$ is a variable. Their product, $−2x$, represents a single quantity in an algebraic expression, so it is called an algebraic term.
Example
$\dfrac{x}{4}$
$x$ is a variable and $4$ is an integer. Their quotient, $x/4$, represents a single quantity in an algebraic expression. Therefore, $x/4$ is called an algebraic term.
Example
$\dfrac{5x^2y}{4z}$
The numbers $5$ and $4$ and the variables $x$, $y$, and $z$ are connected by multiplication and division to form a single term in an algebraic expression. Since it represents a single quantity, it is called an algebraic term.
The five examples above clearly show what an algebraic term is and how it is formed to represent a quantity using multiplication, division, or a combination of both.
An algebraic term is a single part of an algebraic expression that represents one mathematical quantity. In an expression, algebraic terms are separated by plus ($+$) or minus ($−$) signs, or a combination of both.
Now, let’s look at a few more examples to better understand algebraic terms.
Example
$2x+7$
In this example, $2x$ and $7$ represent mathematical quantities and are connected by a plus sign to form the algebraic expression. Therefore, $2x$ and $7$ are called algebraic terms.
Example
$x^2-5y$
In this example, $x^2$ and $5y$ represent mathematical quantities and are connected by a minus sign to form the algebraic expression. Therefore, $x^2$ and $-5y$ are called algebraic terms.
Example
$6x^3+7y-4$
In this example, $6x^3$, $7y$ and $4$ represent mathematical quantities and are connected by a plus sign and a minus sign to form the algebraic expression. Therefore, $6x^3$, $7y$ and $-4$ are called algebraic terms.
The three examples above clearly show that algebraic terms are separated by addition or subtraction signs in algebraic expressions, while each algebraic term is formed by multiplication, division, or a combination of both.
