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What is a Constant?

Definition: Constant

Summary

  1. A constant is a fixed value that never changes
  2. For '5x+2', the '5x' will vary depending on the value of 'x'
  3. 'x' is a variable representing a number
  4. The '2' term in '5x+2' will not vary in value, so it's a constant
  5. We just chose a few values, '2', '3', and '4', to plug in for 'x'
  6. If x=2, then 5x=5(2)=10
  7. If x=3, then 5x=5(3)=15
  8. If x=4, then 5x=5(4)=20
  9. Regardless of the value for 'x', the '2' will stay the constant

Notes

    1. Anytime you see a number without any variables attached to it, it's a constant
    1. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    1. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    2. Since '2' does not vary, it is considered a constant
    1. We could have chose any numbers for x, but we decided to use '2', '3', and '4'
    2. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    1. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    2. Notice how '5x' varies with each new value for 'x', the variable
    1. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    1. Notice how '2' does NOT vary with each new value for 'x', the variable
    1. 'x' is a variable representing a number
    1. The opposite of a constant is a variable