What is the difference between a variable and a constant in computer programming

When we learn the term equation we have to first understand the terms of constant and variable. These terms are used at every step in Algebra. We must be quite familiar with what is the difference between constant and variable. 

Let us consider a real-life example:

The height of a kid and the dress of a kid. Here the height of a kid is variable because it will keep on changing over the period of time but the dress of a kid will remain the same forever so it is a constant.

So let us see the definition of constant and variable.

Definition of Constant: 

As the name implies, the constant is a value that remains constant ever. Constant has a fixed value and its value cannot be changed by any variable. Constants are represented by numbers.

For example in the algebraic expression 

3x + 5y = 7, where 7 is the constant we know its face value is 7 and it cannot be changed. But 3x and 5y are not constants because the variable x and y can change their value.

Definition of Variable: 

A value that keeps on changing is said to be variable. Variables are often represented by an alphabet like a, b, c, or x, y, z. Its value changes from time to time.

For example in the Algebraic Expression:

3x + 5y = 7 where x and y are variables that are changed according to the expression.

Below is the tabular format of the difference between variable and constant. It will make you more clear what is variable and constant.

Difference between Constant and Variables

From the above table now you have a clear picture of what is the difference between constant and variable. 

Now let us solve some examples which will make it more clear what is variable and constant.

Solved Examples

Example 1 : 

Find the value of x for the equation x - 4  =  0

Solution :

x - 4  =  0

Add 4 to each side. 

X - 4 + 4 = 4

x  =  4

So, the value of x is 4. 

Example 2 : 

Find the value of x for the equation 3x  =  27

Solution : 

3x  =  27

Divide each side by 3.

3x/3  =  27/3

x = 9

So, the value of x is 9

Example 3 : 

Find the value of x  for the equation x + 5  =  -2

Solution :

x + 5 =  -2

Subtract 5 from each side. 

x + 5 - 5 = -2 -5

x  =  -7

So, the value of x is -7.

Example 4 : 

Find the value of x for equation 4x + 6  =  22.

Solution :

4x + 6  =  22

Subtract 6 from each side.

4x + 6 - 6  =  22 - 6

4x = 16

Divide each side by 4.

4x/4  =  16/4

x = 4

So, the value of x is 4

So from these problems, we have got different values for the same alphabet x.the values of x keeps on changing depending upon the equation,

So alphabet x is said to be variable. 

Quiz Time

Find the value of x for the following equation

1. 5x + 10 = 15

2. 7x + 7 = 28

3. x + 15 = 20

4. x - 8 = 2

Points to remember with the Difference between Constants and Variables

Constants and Variables are one the easiest and most fundamental concepts of Mathematics. In fact, Constants and Variables form the mathematical equations and thus should be learned before solving the mathematical equations. Vedantu has explained the difference between Constants and Variables in a very easy-to-understand manner where students can use the concepts to easily differentiate Constants and Variables from one another. Given below are some of the basic and important points regarding Constants and Variables. 

• Constants are values that will not change under any circumstances. That means that the values of constants are fixed and will not vary in any condition given in the question. Hence, we can easily determine the constant in an equation. We need to simply choose the value which will not change even though conditions change for the given equation or the question. Constants can be whole numbers, they can also be fractions or decimal numbers or rational or irrational numbers as well. As these numbers are fixed, they will not change under any condition and hence they are called the constant in the equations. If any question is asked to determine the constant in the equation, one should look for the numbers stated in the previous question. This will ensure a correct answer and full marks in such questions.

• Variables the symbols will undergo change if there is a change in the condition as stated in the question or equation given. Variables are easy to understand and identify as they are often represented by alphabetical symbols such as x, y, z, a, m0, m1, k, w, q, p1, p2, p3, and many more. As the name Variable says, they vary under different conditions. Thus, variables can hold multiple values which can satisfy the equation. They can also hold no value in some cases in which we conclude that the equation holds no solution. Variables can also hold infinite values. In such scenarios, we call this as the equation holds infinitely many solutions. The variables can also hold a specific set of numbers.

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The downloadable study material can be accessed in offline mode which will ensure effective learning and this will be very helpful during revision for the exams. Students can find the latest and updated study material on Vedantu which is easy to access and understand. Vedantu wishes all the students to do well in their examinations and make use of its immense knowledge source for their betterment.

Mathematics is an important topic, but it doesn’t have any precise definition. It includes geometry, quantity, space and Change. Mathematics uses a pattern to formulate a conclusion or a proposition by checking the truth or false by proof. By calculating, counting, and measurement, Mathematics develops. Computer Programming is also a type of Mathematics only. Constant and Variables are the two important part of mathematics. Without which all the Mathematics would be vague and unclear.

Constants vs Variables

The main difference between constant and variable is that Constants doesn’t change their value, and their value is fixed. Whereas Variables changes their value frequently depending upon the equation. Constants and Variables are used in both Computer Science and Mathematics. Both have slight differences in the two areas. A Constant function is defined by a rule known as a Constant Rule. Variables are of two types i.e. independent variable and dependant variable.

Constants have multiple meanings, and it is fixed concerning floating-point value. It is used for two purposes: a fixed number that is well-defined and second as a constant function whose value remains unchanged. Besides being used in mathematics, it is also used in computer programming in which the value of constants should not be altered during the program when it is going through an execution.

Variables are something that is a type of quantity that changes and can vary according to an equation. Variables are also used to represent functions, matrices, vectors and numbers. Variables help us to solve a lot of problems with a single equation. In mathematics, the variable is a symbol whose value is undefined. In programming, the variable is a type of container for different types of data.

Comparison Table Between Constants and Variables 

What are Constants?

Constants can be defined as a constant function that gives the same value always. If a constant is written in a single variable, for example, f(x) = 5, it would make a graph with a horizontal straight line parallel to the x-axis. Whenever its value is taken, it will give the same result no matter what. In mathematics, Constants are defined by specific symbols when values occur to like 0(zero), 1(one), π (pi), (square root of 2),φ (golden ratio).

In programming, the value of a constant cannot be changed by program, and value remains constant. When constant are put together by an identifier, it is called ‘named’. Constant is very helpful as it can be used both in compilers as well as for programmers. Programmers use it for self-documenting code, and compilers use it for run-time checks and compile time. A constant value can be defined once, but it can be used many times when the program is running.

Constants are used in many programming languages such as C, C++, Java etc. Programming paradigms define that how the values of constants should be treated. There are four types of Constants in the C Programming language, i.e., integer constants, Character constants, Real/Floating-point constants, string constants. Integer constants uses digits like -3, -1, 0 etc. Characters Constants define characters in single quotes like ‘a’, ‘8’, ‘25’ etc. Real or Floating-point constants use decimal or an exponent. String Constants also use characters but in double quotations.

What are Variables?

Variables are used commonly for representing vectors, functions and matrices. It is used to show the arbitrary value of a set. The value of variables keeps changing, unlike constants. The term ‘Variable’ comes from the Latin word variābilis, which means it keeps changing. It was for the first time found in the book written by Brahmagupta in the 7th century named Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta. It was used to represent the unknown value in algebraic equations.

In the 16th century, François Viète gave the idea of representing variables with letters and using it in computer programming as well. Then Rene Descartes uses the methodology to use variables for an unknown in an equation like a, b or c. In maths, it is very common that variables play different roles, like in differential calculus. Concerning the variable, it is also called arguments of functions. Variables are also defined as independent of x ad can be called constants.

In programming variables are scalar are used as storage devices to store various types of data. It is paired with a symbolic code that has an unknown or known quantity. The variable of programming is slightly different from the variable of mathematics. Like variables in programming are given very long names, whereas in mathematics, it of one or two characters. There are different types of variables like static, stack-dynamic, implicit heap-dynamic and explicit heap-dynamic.

Main Differences Between Constants and Variables

1. Value of Constants in maths is fixed or constant in numbers. The value of variables in maths is an undefined number
2. Value of Constants in Computer Programming is any unchanged type of data. Value of variables in Computer programming is any type of data that is changing.
3. Constants have numbers as a symbol in maths. Variables have letters and symbols in maths.
4. Constants have been defined as a constant name in programming. Variables have been as a defined variable name in Programming.
5. There are 4 types of constants i.e. Integer, Character, Real and String Constants. There are two types of variables: Independent and Dependent Variables.

Conclusion

Both Constants and Variables are used as an important factor in mathematics and programming. Both are very integral parts of these two areas and are used in various applications, whether it be physics, Programming language etc. Both Constants and Variables are represented in either Greek or English letters. Variables have a changing magnitude, and their value is unknown. Whereas as the name defines, Constants are constants with unchanging value, but their face value is known.

References

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