What is the Difference Between Variable and Constant?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between variables and constants lies in their values' ability to change. Here is a summary of their characteristics:
- Constants:
- Do not change their value as the equation is solved.
- Usually written in numbers (fractions, integers, decimals, or real numbers).
- Represent known values in an equation or expression.
- Have fixed face values.
- Variables:
- Change their value depending on the equation.
- Written as letters or symbols.
- Represent unknown values in an equation or expression.
- Do not have fixed face values.
In algebraic expressions and equations, constants are used to represent fixed values, while variables represent values that can change. For example, in the expression 3x + 5y = 7, the constant is 7, and the variables are x and y. Constants are often written in numbers, while variables are represented by letters or symbols.
Comparative Table: Variable vs Constant
Here is a table comparing the differences between variables and constants:
| Feature | Constants | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A constant is a fixed value that cannot change during the program's execution. | A variable is a data item whose value can change during the program's execution. |
| Value | Constants have fixed values that do not change. | Variables can have varying values depending on the context and can change over time. |
| Representation | Constants are usually written in numbers or as literal constants (e.g., 'A', "Hello world!"). | Variables are typically represented by letters or symbols. |
| Use | Constants are used to store known values in an equation, expression, or line of programming. | Variables represent unknown values in an equation, expression, or line of programming. |
| Example | In an algebraic expression, the speed of light (c) is a constant with a fixed value of 299,792,458 meters per second. | In an algebraic expression, the variable x can represent an unknown value that needs to be determined, such as the distance a car travels in a given time. |
Constants are fixed values that do not change during the execution of a program, while variables are data items whose values can change during the program's execution. Constants are used to store known values, while variables represent unknown values that need to be determined.
- Variable vs Parameter
- Coefficient vs Constant
- Consistent vs Constant
- Variable vs Random Variable
- Variable vs Fixed Costs
- Current Price vs Constant Price
- Variable vs Fixed Interest Rate
- Identifier vs Variable
- Instance Variable vs Local Variable
- Discrete vs Continuous Variables
- Fixed vs Variable Loans
- Dependent vs Independent Variables
- Class vs Instance Variables
- Reaction Rate vs Rate Constant
- Persistent vs Consistent
- Equilibrium Constant vs Rate Constant
- Continuous vs Continual
- Difference vs Different
- Critical Constant vs Van der Waals Constant