I realize the question is vague; my question is actually how to clarify it. Is there any terminology distinguishing the two types or styles of equations in these examples?
Ex. 1. The following equation gives the distance $x$ in meters using the time $t$ in seconds: $x = 3t$. Find $x$ after 5 seconds goes by.
Ex. 2. The following equation gives the distance $x$ using the time $t$: $x = (3m/s)t$. Find $x$ after 5 seconds goes by.
I teach high school physics and would like to convince students to use the 2nd style, which seems more easily generalizable, but they learn the 1st style in their math classes.