👉 Temporary math, often referred to as "wildcard" or "let's assume," is a mathematical technique used to simplify complex problems by temporarily replacing certain variables or terms with specific, often arbitrary, values. This allows mathematicians and students to isolate and solve parts of a problem more easily, knowing that the temporary substitutions will be undone or accounted for later. For example, in solving equations, you might set a variable like \( x \) to a convenient value (like zero or one) to find the solution, then revert it to its original form. This method is particularly useful in algebra and calculus for breaking down intricate equations into more manageable pieces.
