2007-09-18 17:51:25 · 13 answers · asked by Rio 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Well.... you can use also the letter capital letter "K" small letter "o" then "k" again finally "o" .... try it ....you will say ohhhhhhhhhhhh amazing......
2007-09-19 00:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by Yuki M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several hundred years ago European mathematicians adopted the convention of using letters near the end of the alphabet for unknowns and letters near the beginning of the alphabet for knowns. Why "x" is most commonly used for an unknown is unknown (that actually sounds kind of funny), but it could have been y, z, w, u, or v.
Now it would look peculiar if you wrote the quadratic equation as
Xa^2 + Ya +Z = 0
but the form would be exactly the same.
hth.
2007-09-18 18:24:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may be surprised to find out that they really may use it in their future. I used to ask the same thing when I was in the 8th grade. Now I am a new nurse and I use Algebra type math problems all of the time to check correct dosages for medications. Giving the wrong dosage of medication could kill a patient, so math skills (even Algebra) are very important for making sure you are giving a safe amount of medication. Doctors can make mistakes so it is always smart to check the doctors math to make sure it is correct. Algebra can also be used in many other professions besides nursing.
2016-05-18 02:40:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, any letter of the alphabet can be used, including some letters of the greek alphabet, I believe. If you go through your algebra book or look at SAT problems, you'll find a lot of "what is w if (w-5)(w+7)=67?"
2007-09-18 17:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by Zack Wilder 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because it is easy and is differed..usually other alphabet will be used as others to shorten some words...x just been used since long time ago..
actually for solving unknown algebra, we can also use other alphabet, such as x, y, z, etc
there is no restriction though...
2007-09-18 17:58:04 · answer #5 · answered by UJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
X is used because it is called the "unknown"
This is also known as a variable
2007-09-18 17:55:43 · answer #6 · answered by mnbengr 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just a force of habit. You can use other letters of the alphabet like a, b or c according to your taste.
2007-09-18 17:56:42 · answer #7 · answered by Jun Agruda 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
most of the time X is used because it represents the X-axis. 9 times out of 10 you are going to have to graph the answer or equation anyways so it being labled X is a help.
2007-09-18 17:56:37 · answer #8 · answered by Michelley Shelly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Rio,
No idea, but searching search.yahoo.com for
"why is x used as a variable in algebra" yields some interesting results, cited below.
REgards,
Chas.
2007-09-18 17:56:44 · answer #9 · answered by Chas. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tradition. You can use any letter of symbol you like and the math is still the same.
Doug
2007-09-18 17:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its like the de facto standard. I guess it was taught with so many times its that what most teachers would use now. You dont have to use X you can use any other alphabet.
2007-09-18 17:59:27 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋