document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=65861>Question 65861</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Why are variables useful in algebra? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #46619 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=checkley71><B>checkley71(8403)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=checkley71><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=46619\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A variable is used in algebra because it represents a non numeric value or unknown. A letter or a symbol is used instead of a number because the number is unknown -- that's the reason for the algebratic equation.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The unknown is in many cases a variable because it can have more than one valid answer.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this helps.  </SPAN>\n" );
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