Tradition.
it doesnt matter which letter is used it could be n,d,w, etc
but x and y is just more popular
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The choice to use variables like x and y in algebra is arbitrary. They are simply placeholders that can represent any unknown quantity or value. Using variables allows mathematicians to generalize problems and find solutions that work for a wide range of scenarios. The letters x and y are commonly used due to historical reasons and tradition, but any other letter or symbol could be used as well.
The answer to the equation y x - x a would be x(y-1). When letters are used in a math expression, this is a form of math called Pre-Algebra or Algebra.
In algebra we consider x,y and z are variables.
y=x-2 y=x+4
It is simply: yx which in algebra means y times x
Given two numbers, x and y their difference is |x - y|. |x - y| = x - y if X ≥ y and |x - y| = y - x if x < y