What Is a Constant in Math?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 15, 2020

A constant in math is a fixed value. It may be a number on its own or a letter that stands for a fixed number in an equation.

For example, in the equation “6x – 4 = 8,” both 4 and 8 are constants because their values are fixed. In the equation “7×2 – 3x + 6,” the number 6 is a constant, whereas 7 is the multiplying coefficient and

“x” is referred to as the variable, not known until the equation is solved. The operator (such as “+” or “-“) illustrates the function performed to satisfy or solve the equation.