In an expression like 2x + 3, what are '2x' and '3' considered?

In the expression 2x + 3, the components '2x' and '3' are considered terms because a term is defined as a single mathematical entity that can be a number, a variable, or the product of numbers and variables. '2x' represents a term where '2' is the coefficient of the variable 'x', making it a product of a constant and a variable. The '3' is also a term, specifically it is a constant because it does not contain any variables.

In algebra, terms are typically combined by addition or subtraction, which is exactly what happens in this expression. Thus, each of these parts—'2x' and '3'—signifies a distinct term within the overall expression. This understanding of terms is crucial when performing operations like simplifying expressions or solving equations, where recognizing and manipulating individual terms is fundamental.