Outside of algorithms the symbol is also used but here the distinction is more subtle. The arithmetic mean denoted x of a set of n numbers x1 x2 xn is defined as the sum of the numbers divided by n. Population samples standard deviation estimator.
Quantity is used to describe the amount in the parentheses because the value of x - 4 will change depending on what number is put in for x.
If sec x 2 cos x ½ x 60o. The letter x is often used in algebra to mean a value that is not yet known. Cot x 1 cos x tan x sin x. So for instance given an equation x2y-3z 0 we can solve for z in terms of x and y as zfrac13x2y.