[php] How to use PHP string in mySQL LIKE query?

I am trying to find the number of rows that match a specific pattern. In this example, all that START with "123":

This is working:

$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM table WHERE the_number LIKE '123%'");
$count = mysql_num_rows($query);

The problem is the LIKE will vary, so I'm trying to define it in the script, then execute the query, but this is NOT working:

$prefix = "123";
$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM table WHERE the_number LIKE $prefix.'%'");
$count = mysql_num_rows($query);

How can I get this query to work properly in the second example?

EDIT: I've also tried it without the period (also not working):

$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM table WHERE the_number LIKE $prefix'%'");

DO it like

$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM table WHERE the_number LIKE '$yourPHPVAR%'");

Do not forget the % at the end