Lesson 1: Transition from arithmetic to algebra

Constants:

Coefficients:

Variables:

Constants: are values that do not change within a given mathematical problem or expression. They are fixed numbers or symbols that represent a specific value. For example, in the equation y = 3x + 5, the number 5 is a constant because it remains the same throughout the problem. Common constants in mathematics include numbers like π (pi) and e, which represent specific mathematical values.

Coefficients: are the numerical factors that multiply variables in a mathematical expression or equation. They are constants that indicate the magnitude or strength of the relationship between variables. In the equation y = 3x + 5, the number 3 is a coefficient, as it multiplies the variable 'x' to determine the value of 'y'. Coefficients can be positive, negative, whole numbers, fractions, or decimals, but they do not change within a given problem or expression.