A variable can usually be a set of data or a single drawn from a specific category or state. Normally if they are constant variables the data in each sets do not change at all but if they are alternating or conditional variables, one will depend on the other...there may be some sort of correlation in data present...
In mathematical terms, a variable is normally a a representative number that you solve to find the value of...
you may be required to make the the variable a subject to solve for it & find the answer...