Variables Examples

Renata is four inches taller than Imogene. There go Imogene's WNBA dreams. In terms of Imogene's height, how tall is Renata?

Let H be Imogene's height. Then Renata's height is H + 4 inches.

In the previous problem, why did we pick H to be Imogene's height instead of Renata's height?

The problem tells us that if we start with Imogene's height and add 4, we'll find Renata's height. We pick the variable to be the number we start out with (Imogene's height) rather than the number we end with (Renata's height). We do so because we're saving the best for last. Today is not a good day for Imogene.

Jen has one-third the number of books that Brad has. Not Aniston and Pitt. Total coincidence. In terms of the number of books Brad has, how many books does Jen have?

This problem says that if we start out with the number of books Brad has and divide by three, we find the number of books Jen has. Let B be the number we start out with, which is the number of books Brad has. B can stand for either "Brad" or "books," whichever you like. It could also stand for "babies," of which Brad has several. Still not talking about Brad Pitt, strangely enough. Anyway, Jen has  books. Many of which are about how to get your man back. Again, not talking about Jennifer Aniston.