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.

=See also=