“Relationships are like algebra. You look at your X and wonder Y”

A popular algebra joke has been printed on T-shirts and ecards:
 
“Relationships are a lot like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?”
 
“This relationship shit is like Algebra, it may take a while to find the answers and don’t put your X’s in the wrong place” was cited on Twitter on December 8, 2010. “If only life were like Algebra.  You could replace all your x’s without asking y” was cited on Twitter on July 22, 2011.
 
The joke went viral in 2012. “Relationships are like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?” was cited on Twitter on April 26, 2012.
 
 
Twitter
Goldwatch
‏@BobbyGoldwatch
This relationship shit is like Algebra, it may take a while to find the answers and don’t put your X’s in the wrong place.
11:03 AM - 8 Dec 2010
 
Twitter
I am Readymade!
‏@Readymade777
If only life were like Algebra.  You could replace all your x’s without asking y.
9:14 AM - 22 Jul 2011
 
Twitter
Derrick!
‏@SpAzztheDudeR
We can do this like Algebra. I can replace your X and you wouldn’t even need to know Y. Yeah, yeah!
6:24 PM - 18 Sep 2011
 
Twitter
Israel Rivas
‏@israel4430
Hey baby me and you are like algebra I’ll replace your X without asking Y!
#fuckmyex!
11:42 AM - 13 Dec 2011
 
Twitter
K k i n v e r
‏@katekinver
I like algebra, I can replace your X and wouldn’t even need to figure out Y
5:47 AM - 11 Apr 2012
 
Twitter
skullpuppy
‏@skullpuppy11
Relationships are like algebra.
Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?
8:46 PM - 26 Apr 2012
 
Google Books
Bob and Brenda’s Joke Book
By Paul Gwilliam
Lulu Publishing, Inc. (Lulu.com)
2013
Pg. ?:
Relationships are a lot like algebra. - Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?
 
Google Books
How To Attract Women With Humor
By Leonard Bustos and Leonardo Amorado
Leonard Bustos / Amorado Cloud Productions
2013
Pg. ?:
Relationships are a lot like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?
 
Google Books
Roadmap into a Twisted Mind
By Bruno Gagnon
Victoria, BC: FriesenPress
2014
Pg. 94:
Relationships are a lot like algebra… Ever looked at your X and wondered Y?
   
reddit
Relationships are a lot like algebra, you always look at your X and figure out Y.
submitted December 24, 2015 by wick7
Quote from Fallout 4
 
reddit
Relationships are like Algebra… (self.Jokes)
submitted January 14, 2016 by TooShiftyForYou
You look at your X and wonder Y.