What do the letters mean in algebra?

[Mike_Yates]

My math comprehension does not exceed addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (basic arithmetic) I do not understand the usage and meaning of letters and strange symbols in more advanced levels of mathematics.

What do these strange symbols and greek letters represent in this equation?

http://www.math10.com/en/university-math/calculus/imgFig115.gif

What do the letters represent in algebraic expressions?

http://www.umsolver.com/gif/math/free_equation_usa.gif

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Ask a DeVry grad...

 

[JBCorbell]

Let me guess, you attended the U of Phoenix.

 

[CNYCarol]

My math comprehension does not exceed addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (basic arithmetic) I do not understand the usage and meaning of letters and strange symbols in more advanced levels of mathematics.

What do the letters represent in algebraic expressions?

Variables.

 

[Wok]

Variables.

Constants, and even whole expressions.

 

[Mike_Yates]

Variables.

What is a "variable?"

 

[1hotbabe]

To save everyone time go here...

http://www.themathpage.com/alg/algebraic-expressions.htm

 

[jp_275]

What is a "variable?"

Do you remember the types of questions where it was 6 + {} (empty box) = 8, and you'd fill the empty box with 2 to make it work. Thats what the letters are basically, empty boxes needing to be filled. It's written as letters because its easier to manipulate that way.

 

[JohnnySavage]

What is a "variable?"

Sonny's sexuality?

 

[Mike_Yates]

Do you remember the types of questions where it was 6 + {} (empty box) = 8, and you'd fill the empty box with 2 to make it work. Thats what the letters are basically, empty boxes needing to be filled. It's written as letters because its easier to manipulate that way.

"X" is usually used to denote an unknown number. But what are a, b, c, and y used for?

 

[Wat_Tyler]

X marks where the treasure is buried. Y is code for where the vagina is buried. A, B and C are random letter that refer to bizarre sex acts, the residue therefrom, and the results thereof.


Oh, and Z represents bribes paid to keep the hotel's maidstaff and desk clerks quiet.


And R is a pirate's favorite letter.


My back yard is where I bury the bodies.


Anything else, ask busybody.

 

[CNYCarol]

Variables.

Symbols are constants.

Letters are variables.

 

[JohnnySavage]

Sonny's sexuality?

Bahahahaha!

That was funny.

 

[phrodeau]

"X" is usually used to denote an unknown number. But what are a, b, c, and y used for?

Other unknown numbers.

The two equations in #7 show two different mathematical ratios between x and y, but don't specify what values they have.

In the first equation, x could be 3 and y could be the square root of 14. Or x could be 2 and y could be the square root of 17.

In the second equation, x could be 4 and y could be 13. Or x could be 6 and y could be 5.

The solution to #7 is that x=4 and y=3. Those are the only numbers that you can put in for the letters which make both equations correct.

 

[KingOrfeo]

To start with, "a" always stands for "anal."

 

[Karen Kraft]

Variables.

No!

Those are vitamins!

 

[Aquagal]

My math comprehension does not exceed addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (basic arithmetic) I do not understand the usage and meaning of letters and strange symbols in more advanced levels of mathematics.

What do these strange symbols and greek letters represent in this equation?

http://www.math10.com/en/university-math/calculus/imgFig115.gif

What do the letters represent in algebraic expressions?

http://www.umsolver.com/gif/math/free_equation_usa.gif

Are you trying to get someone to figure out your homework?

 

[Sean]

Do you remember the types of questions where it was 6 + {} (empty box) = 8, and you'd fill the empty box with 2 to make it work. Thats what the letters are basically, empty boxes needing to be filled. It's written as letters because its easier to manipulate that way.

That is actually a really nice, simple explanation.

 

[KingOrfeo]

That is actually a really nice, simple explanation.

Shhh! Listen, Mike, the letters in the equations you cited spell out a message (though you might have to do some work with Scrabble-tiles to make sense of it). Do whatever it says. If you do not, the math-clowns will find you and eat you.