I am confused about how to distinguish terms

Question

Are terms separated by addition or subtraction signs? Are they only separated by addition signs?

Answer 1

Terms are separated by plus or minus signs.

 

2x + 5/z - 14 - 6r

 

This expression has 4 terms.

 

Answer 2

Terms are separated by addition signs or subtraction signs.

 

In algebra and other math after algebra, a subtraction is basically the same as an addition.  A subtraction is just an addition of a negative.