2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/210307The study of essential and strongly essential variables in functions defined on finite sets is a part of $k$-valued logic. We extend the main definitions from functions to terms. This allows us to apply concepts and results of Universal Algebra. On the basis of the concept of a separable set of variables in a term we introduce a new notion of complexity of terms, algebras and varieties and give examples.16 pagesRings and Algebras03D15; 03B50; 03G10; 08A70; 08A62text