Final answer:
The expression 8ab + 3b + 16 - 4a contains four terms, which are counted by identifying parts separated by addition or subtraction signs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked how many terms are there in the algebraic expression 8ab + 3b + 16 - 4a. To find the number of terms, we need to look at the expression and identify parts that are separated by addition or subtraction signs. In this case, the expression contains four distinct parts: 8ab, 3b, 16, and -4a. These are considered as separate terms because they are not like terms and cannot be combined through simplification.
Step-by-step to determine the number of terms:
- Identify and separate parts of the expression divided by plus (+) or minus (–) signs.
- Recognize that coefficients and variables multiplied together form a single term.
- Count each distinct part as one term.
Therefore, the expression 8ab + 3b + 16 - 4a contains four terms.