Can we call the coefficient of an algebraic expression a constant?

Question

Can we call the coefficient of an algebraic expression a constant?

For example, in $6y$ is the $6$ a constant?

Answer 1

The number $6$ is fixed and , in the expression $6y$ it is constant, in the sense that we can chose any value for $y$ , but the expression indicate that this value is always multiplied by the constant number $6$. Obviously the expression $6y$ is not a constant if we can chose different values of $y$.

Answer 2

For the polynomial $$ P(x) = a_0+a_1x+a_2x^2+...a_nx^n $$the constants,$$ a_0, a_1,a_2,...,a_n$$ are called coefficients.

They are constants but using the word constant may apply only to $a_0$

Answer 3

According to the Clark's Dictionary of Analysis, Calculus, and Differential Equations, a constant is

A quantity that does not vary. A symbol that represents the same quantity throughout a discussion.

And, according to the Krantz's Dictionary of Algebra, Arithmetic, and Trigonometry,

Given an equation in a variable $x$, any part of the equation that is independent of $x$ is a constant term.

So, in these senses: yes, we can say that the coefficients of algebraic expressions are constants.

But note that some constants are not coefficients and "variable coefficients" appear in some contexts.