Math Forum - Ask Dr. Math

The Math Forum

$Ask Dr. Math - Questions and Answers from our Archives$ $_____________________________________________$
Associated Topics || Dr. Math Home || Search Dr. Math
$_____________________________________________$

Why Use Variables?


Date: 06/01/99 at 13:56:05
From: Phoebe Moostae
Subject: Variables

What is the point of using varibles when you could use numbers?

Date: 06/02/99 at 12:53:40
From: Doctor Kimberly
Subject: Re: Variables

Hello Phoebe,

Variables are used as placeholders for numbers that are the answers to 
questions or solutions to problems. For example:

   X + 6 = 14

What is the number that you can add to 6 to get a sum of 14? In order 
to find that number, you have to solve for X. Using variables helps us 
to find the numbers that fit a given equation, or answer a certain 
question, but they do not take the place of numbers. 

Please write in again if you have more questions.

- Doctor Kimberly, The Math Forum
  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Associated Topics:
Middle School Algebra

Search the Dr. Math Library:

Find items containing (put spaces between keywords):

Click only once for faster results:

[ Choose "whole words" when searching for a word like age.]

all keywords, in any order at least one, that exact phrase
parts of words whole words

Submit your own question to Dr. Math

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]

Math Forum Home || Math Library || Quick Reference || Math Forum Search
_____________________________________