Defining Variables

Daniel went to a fruit market where he found that oranges cost $4 per pound and bananas cost $2 per pound. He bought some oranges and bananas and the total cost was $28.

What could we use to define x?

• cost of oranges

• total cost

• number of pounds of oranges

• 4

Zoe went to a store where hats are priced at $10 each and gloves are priced at $5 each. She bought some hats and gloves and the total bill came to $30.

What could we use to define x?

• number of hats purchased

• 10

• total bill

• starting amount

In order to join an online learning community, there is a $20 startup fee and a $5 monthly fee. What could we use to define y?

• cost per month

• number of months

• cost for start up

• 20

• total cost

Daniel went to a fruit market where he found that oranges cost $4 per pound and bananas cost $2 per pound. He bought some oranges and bananas and the total cost was $28.

What could we use to define y?

• cost of bananas

• total cost

• number of pounds of bananas

• 2

a symbol for an unknown value; usually a letter (such as a, x, or y) is the symbol used

• constant

• variable

• coefficient

• term

What is the definition of a variable?

• The letter used to represent a quantity

• The little number or letter used to raise to a power

• The number in front of a variable

• The number with no variable

Match the following vocabulary words to it's correct definition.

• Variable

• A placeholder, usually a letter, to represent an unknown number.

• Expression

• The number in front of the variable.

• Term

• A number by itself with no variable attached.

• Coefficient

• A combination of terms.

• Constant

• A number, a variable, or both.

Tags

6.13

What are the variables in the following expression?

• 3, 4, 1 and 7

• z, x and y

• + and -

• 15

What are variables in math?

• Letters

• Numbers

• Expressions

A variable represents what is ______________. 

• the answer

• the operation

• the difference

• unknown