The origin of X in algebra. Why we say ‘how come’ for ‘why.’ Water handles.

2025-12-23

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1144. This week, we look at the origin of the letter X as the variable for the unknown in algebra. Then, we look at the phrase "how come," explaining why it's more informal than "why" and how its grammar subtly differs from other question words.That X segment was written by Peter Schumer, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Middlebury College, and it originally appeared on The Conversation and appears here through a Creative Commons license.Links to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different links for different levels)Order of the Snail ($1/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/687E4Order of the Aardvark ...

That X segment was written by Peter Schumer, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Middlebury College, and it originally appeared on The Conversation and appears here through a Creative Commons license.

Links to Get One Month Free of the Grammar Girl Patreon (different links for different levels)

Order of the Snail ($1/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/687E4
Order of the Aardvark ($5/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/07205
Keeper of the Commas ($10/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/50A0B
Guardian of the Grammary ($25/month level): https://www.patreon.com/grammargirl/redeem/949F7

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