What are the exponent and coefficient of the expression [tex]-5b[/tex]?

A. The exponent is 0 and the coefficient is -5.
B. The exponent is 1 and the coefficient is -5.
C. The exponent is 0 and the coefficient is 5.
D. The exponent is 1 and the coefficient is 5.



Answer :

To determine the exponent and coefficient of the expression [tex]\(-5b\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify the coefficient:
- The coefficient is the numerical factor that is multiplied by the variable.
- In the expression [tex]\(-5b\)[/tex], the number [tex]\(-5\)[/tex] is multiplying the variable [tex]\(b\)[/tex].
- Therefore, the coefficient is [tex]\(-5\)[/tex].

2. Identify the exponent:
- The exponent is the power to which the variable is raised.
- In the expression [tex]\(-5b\)[/tex], the variable [tex]\(b\)[/tex] does not have an explicitly written exponent, which means it is raised to the power of 1 (since [tex]\(b\)[/tex] is equivalent to [tex]\(b^1\)[/tex]).
- Therefore, the exponent is 1.

So, to summarize:

- The coefficient is [tex]\(-5\)[/tex].
- The exponent is 1.

Given these determinations, the correct option from the provided choices is:
The exponent is 1 and the coefficient is -5.