Variables vs. Constants: What's the Difference for Grade 6 Math?

📚 What is a Variable?

A variable is like a container that can hold different values. Think of it as a box where you can put different numbers. In math, we often use letters like $x$, $y$, or $z$ to represent these variables. The value in the box ($x$, $y$, or $z$) can change depending on the problem. For example, in the equation $x + 2 = 5$, $x$ is a variable because we need to figure out what number $x$ stands for.

• ➕ A symbol (usually a letter) that represents an unknown number or a quantity that can change.
• 🧪 Example: In the equation $y = 3x + 1$, both $x$ and $y$ are variables.
• 💡Variables are used to represent quantities that can have multiple values.

🔢 What is a Constant?

A constant, on the other hand, is a value that does not change. It's like a label on a box that always says the same thing. It's a fixed number that stays the same throughout the entire problem. For example, in the equation $y = 3x + 1$, the numbers $3$ and $1$ are constants. They always stay the same, no matter what value $x$ or $y$ have.

• 🔒 A fixed value that does not change.
• 📊 Example: The number $7$ is always $7$. It never changes.
• 📌 Constants are used to represent specific, unchanging values.

📝 Variables vs. Constants: The Key Differences

💡 Key Takeaways

• ✅ Variables can change their value, constants cannot.
• 🧭 Variables are usually letters, while constants are numbers.
• 🧠 Understanding the difference between variables and constants is crucial for solving algebraic equations.