5/27/22, 3:24 AM Introduction to Variables
The Order of Operations and Variables:
Introduction to Variables
What is a variable?
A variable represents a number that can change or that we don’t know yet. Because we don’t
know the number, we use a letter to represent it. Most often we use x and y, but any letter or
symbol can be used as a variable.
Just for Fun
Why do we often use X as a variable?
Much of what we know about mathematics originated in Persia and Arabia. The word algebra
literally comes from the Arabic word al-jabr which means “the reunion of broken parts.” When
Spanish scholars were translating Arabic mathematical texts, they often came across the
Arabic word shay-un which means “something.” Since Spanish doesn’t have the “sh” sound,
they used the Greek letter chi (X) instead. Later, these Spanish texts were translated into
Latin, X became the standard symbol for something we don’t know. So today we use the
letter X because Spanish doesn’t have the “sh” sound.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/mathematics/why-x-marks-unknown-0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra
Gospel Connection
The example of X becoming the standard variable in algebra is an example of how texts can
change over time through various translations. The 8th Article of Faith says that “we believe
the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” The Lord revealed to
Joseph Smith in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible many clarifications for scriptures in
the Bible that had lost their original meaning due to changes or mistakes in translation. Some
of this can be found in Joseph Smith-Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price.
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-3.html 1/3
The Order of Operations and Variables:
Introduction to Variables
What is a variable?
A variable represents a number that can change or that we don’t know yet. Because we don’t
know the number, we use a letter to represent it. Most often we use x and y, but any letter or
symbol can be used as a variable.
Just for Fun
Why do we often use X as a variable?
Much of what we know about mathematics originated in Persia and Arabia. The word algebra
literally comes from the Arabic word al-jabr which means “the reunion of broken parts.” When
Spanish scholars were translating Arabic mathematical texts, they often came across the
Arabic word shay-un which means “something.” Since Spanish doesn’t have the “sh” sound,
they used the Greek letter chi (X) instead. Later, these Spanish texts were translated into
Latin, X became the standard symbol for something we don’t know. So today we use the
letter X because Spanish doesn’t have the “sh” sound.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/mathematics/why-x-marks-unknown-0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebra
Gospel Connection
The example of X becoming the standard variable in algebra is an example of how texts can
change over time through various translations. The 8th Article of Faith says that “we believe
the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.” The Lord revealed to
Joseph Smith in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible many clarifications for scriptures in
the Bible that had lost their original meaning due to changes or mistakes in translation. Some
of this can be found in Joseph Smith-Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price.
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-3.html 1/3
