Final answer:
A variable is a symbol that represents an unknown number or quantity in algebraic expressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A variable is a symbol, usually a letter of the alphabet, that stands for an unknown number or quantity. In algebraic expressions, a variable is a combination of numbers, variables, and operations.
For example, the expression x + 2 represents 'x' increased by 2.
Another example is the expression 9 * 8b / 5s - 1, which represents the product of 9 and 8b divided by 5s, decreased by 1.
The phrase 'x increased by 2' translates to the algebraic expression x + 2.
Similarly, the phrase 'the product of 9 and 8b divided by 5s decreased by 1' translates to the algebraic expression 9 * 8b / 5s - 1. In this expression, 'b' and 's' are variables.