What Is the Difference Between a Constant and a Variable?
Last Updated Apr 3, 2020 5:50:34 AM ET
In mathematics, a variable is a symbol used for a number not yet known, while a constant is a number or symbol that has a fixed value. The value of a variable can change depending on the equation, while the value of a constant always remains the same.
In the equation 5x - 3 = 7, x is the variable, as it represents a number with an unknown value. The constants in the equation are 3 and 7, because their values remain the same no matter how the equation may be altered. The number 5 acts a coefficient for the variable x, as x is being multiplied by 5.
More From Reference
Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?!)
The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles
Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon
Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses?
Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors?
Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha