See Also: variable(dictionary)
variable(encyclopedia)
Variable(money)
Variable(finance)
variable(medicine)
Discrete variable(finance)
Dependent variable(finance)
Variable-rate(money)
Variable-rate CDs(money)
variable 2, noun(dictionary)

variable (sh)




In algebra, a symbol (usually a letter) standing in for an unknown numerical value in an equation.

Commonly used variables include x and y (real-number unknowns), z (complex-number unknowns), t (time), r (radius), and s (arc length). Variables should be distinguished from coefficients, fixed values that multiply powers of variables in polynomials and algebraic equations. In the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, x is the variable and a, b and c are coefficients whose values must be specified to solve the equation. In translating word problems into algebraic equations, quantities to be determined can be represented by variables.