Variables
Ages 9–13Difficulty adapts to you
Variables
A variable is a symbol, often a letter, that represents a number. Its value may be unknown, may change, or may describe a general rule.
Your goals
- ✓You can understand what variables are and how to use them.
- ✓You can use variable, coefficient correctly.
- ✓You can replace the variable with a value and read the expression.
Words to know
- variable:
- A symbol, often a letter, that represents a number.
- coefficient:
- A number multiplying a variable.
Examples
- 1In n + 3 = 7, n represents the unknown value 4.
- 2In y = 2x, the values of x and y can change while the rule stays the same.
Check these
- • Do not read 2x as 2 + x instead of 2 × x.
- • Keep every number, symbol, label, and unit in its correct place.
- • Show enough working to check how you reached your answer.
Helpful habits
- • Read the whole question before choosing what to do.
- • Show one clear step at a time and check each step.
- • If you are stuck, draw a model, try smaller numbers, or revisit the example.
Now try your own
Create your own variables example, solve it, and explain how you checked it.
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Helpful Hints“Hint: Break big problems into smaller steps!”