Understanding variables is like getting a cool new tool for your math toolbox! Here’s how you can use them in simple equations:

1. Pick the Variable: Choose a letter to stand for an unknown number, like $x$ or $y$.

2. Create an Equation: Come up with a relationship between the numbers. For example, if you know one number is twice another, you could write $x = 2y$.

3. Solve It: To find out what your variable is, you might need to change the equation around. For example:

   $x + 3 = 10$ can be changed to $x = 10 - 3 = 7$

Using variables makes it easier to solve problems and keeps everything neat and tidy!