Coefficient
GMAT glossary · Data Insights
Definition
The numerical factor multiplying a variable in an algebraic term (e.g., in 5x^2 the coefficient of x^2 is 5).
Coefficient in plain English
A coefficient is simply the number sitting in front of a letter, telling you how many of that letter you have. In 5x, the 5 is the coefficient, it means 'five x's,' the same way '3 apples' means three apples. So in 5x^2, the coefficient of x^2 is 5. It's the 'how many' number attached to the variable, and spotting it quickly is the first step in almost any algebra move.
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