Algebra - ConstantsAlgebraic ConstantsWhat is a constant in algebra? A constant is something that is constant The number that we need The number that we need The number that we need QUESTION
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Using Letters At The Start Of The Alphabet For Unknown Constants
IF
something is constant
BUT
with unknown value
THEN
we often let a letter at the beginning of the alphabet stand for that constant
LETTER OFTEN USED
a, b and c
Example
WHEN we know that a graph intersects the y-axis
at a fixed point
BUT
we do not know the y value
at which this occurs
THEN
we often denote this constant
by the letter c
Using Greek Letters For Difficult Constants
IF
something is constant
BUT
with a difficult value
THEN
we often use a Greek letter
to represent the constant
Example
π (pi) pronounced pie
π = 3.14............
(to as many decimal places
as we want to use)
The number that we need
to multiply
the diametre of a circle by
to get the circumference
is always π (pi)
Circumference of circle
= π × Diametre of circle
EXTERNAL LINKS
Definition
thesaurus.maths.org
Definition
mathworld.wolfram.com
Greek Letters As Constants
en.wikipedia.org