Indeterminate (variable)

In mathematics, more precisely in algebra, an indeterminate is a quantity that is not known, and cannot be solved for. An indeterminate is different from a variable, which is solvable, at least conditionally, from a given equation or set of equations. To make this distinction in an example, compare these two situations.

1. Let $x$ be a "variable" such that :$2+3x=a+bx$, where $a$ and $b$ are some rational numbers. Then, we can solve for $x$, to find

:$x=(a-2)/(3-b)$.

Any values of $a$ and $b$ with $b$ not 3 will yield a value for $x$.

2. Let $x$ be an "indeterminate" such that :$2+3x=a+bx$, where $a$ and $b$ are again rational numbers. Since $x$ cannot be solved for, we must have $2=a$ and $3=b$.

ee also

*Indeterminate system
*Polynomial