A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown or general number is called a ______.

Class 6AlgebraAlgebra

Step-by-Step Solution

A variable (like

x

, n or

y

) represents an unknown or generalised number. A constant is a fixed number.

Answer: B) variable

Imagine you want to describe 'a number doubled, plus three'. Without algebra you would have to make a list:

2 \times 1 + 3 = 5

;

2 \times 2 + 3 = 7

;

2 \times 5 + 3 = 13

; … forever. With a letter — say

x

for 'the number' — the whole list becomes one short expression: **

2 x + 3

**. Pick any value of

x

and you get the right answer. The letter is shorthand for 'whatever number we're talking about'.

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