Difference Between Constants And Variables

In math, constants and variables are basic ideas used to show values in equations. You need to understand them before solving equations. Let's learn about constants, variables, and how they're different.

Constants

 

Constants are values that stay the same in a math problem or equation. They don't change.

For example, in the equation y = 2x + 3, the numbers 2 and 3 are constants because their values always stay 2 and 3, no matter what x is.

Also Check: 4X4 Matrix Determinant | Determinant of Matrix  | Determinants and Matrices

Types of Constants:

  1. Numeric Constants: These are numbers like pi (π) or e (the base of natural logarithms).

  2. Geometric Constants: These are fixed measurements of shapes, like the radius of a circle or the volume of a sphere.

  3. Physical Constants: These are values like the speed of light or gravitational force that don't change in the real world.

  4. Trigonometric Constants: These are ratios related to angles in triangles, like sine, cosine, and tangent.

  5. Logarithmic Constants: These are values used in logarithms, such as the natural logarithm base (e) or base 10 logarithms.

Diffrence Between area and Volume

Variables, on the other hand, are symbols or letters that can change in value during calculations or in equations.

For example, in y = 2x + 3, x and y are variables because their values can change.

Types of Variables:

  1. Independent Variables: These can be changed to predict values of other variables.

  2. Dependent Variables: These change based on the independent variables.

  3. Controlled Variables: These stay the same during calculations to keep things fair.

  4. Continuous Variables: These can be any value within a range, like time or height.

  5. Discrete Variables: These are specific whole numbers used for counting things.

Diffrence Between Circle and Sphere

Difference between Constants and Variables

Constants

Variables

Their values cannot be changed or manipulated. 

Their values can be changed or manipulated. 

It is a fixed value in the equation. 

It acts as an input in the equation. 

Provides fixed reference in the equation. 

Used to predict the values in the equation. 

It has a single and fixed value in the equation. 

It has multiple values for a single function. 

It is denoted by numerical or symbolic value. 

It is denoted by an equation or a formula. 

Acts as a reference point for calculating change or comparing values. 

Used to understand and describe a change. 

Have specific values that are unchanging. 

Can take any value within the given domain. 

Examples

  1. Find the value of x in an equation 3x - 6 = 15.

Solution: 3x - 6 = 15

Here, constants are 6 and 15 and variable is x. 

3x = 15 + 6

3x = 21

x = 21/3

x = 7

So the value of x = 7. 

  1. Find the value of x in an equation 5x = -15

Solution: 

5x = -15

x = -15/5

x = -3

Soi the value of x is -3. 

  1. Find the value of y in the equation 3y + 6 + 4y = 15 + 5y 

Solution:  3y + 6 + 4y = 15 + 5y 

3y + 4y - 5y = 15 - 6

7y - 5y = 9

2y = 9

y = 9/2

y = 4 ½ 

y = 4.5

So the value of y is 4 ½ or 4.5. 

Related Links

Frequently Asked Questions on Difference Between Constants And Variables

A constant does not change over time and has a fixed value. For example, the size of a shoe or cloth or any apparel will not change at any point. In an algebraic equation, x+y = 8, 8 is a constant value, and it cannot be changed. Variables: Variables are terms which can change or vary over time

Common constant variables you may use in an experiment include: TemperatureHumidityPressure.

Definition. A variable is any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted. A variable may also be called a data item. Age, sex, business income and expenses, country of birth, capital expenditure, class grades, eye colour and vehicle type are examples of variables.

In mathematics, a constant is a specific number or a symbol that is assigned a fixed value. In other words, a constant is a value or number that never changes in expression. Its value is constantly the same. Examples of constant are 2, 5, 0, -3, -7, 2/7, 7/9 etc.