In algebra, what is a letter called when it stands for a number or quantity whose value may change?
- A variable
- A constant
- A coefficient
- An exponent
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: A. A variable
1. The rule for algebra states that a letter representing a number whose value may change is called a variable.
2. A constant is a number whose value always stays the same, which is the opposite idea.
3. A coefficient is the number multiplying a variable, and an exponent is the small raised number, so neither fits the description.
_Source: OpenStax Prealgebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "The Language of Algebra", section 2.1 Use the Language of Algebra_