Using PHP echo to get category number problem

Hi all

I have a random PHP question if anyone can help. Have done a search, but cannot find the right awnser (Maybe Im not looking in the right places mind!!)

I have 3 loops in different sections of a page, each calling posts from the same category. Im actually giving this template to someone else, so Im trying to make it simple, so I thought rather than have them put the cat number in on three separate lines I would just have one at the top and use a PHP echo to reference it….but I cant do it!!!

So at the top of the page I have an echo like this

<?php>

$foo = “1”;
$bar = “2”;

?>

It works as an echo on the page just fine, have tried it. But I cant figure the correct PHP to call it (im new to PHP so this maybe easy I dunno!) I have this at the moment

<?php $top_query = new WP_Query('showposts=10&cat=<?php echo "$bar"; ?>&offset=1'); ?>

But it doesnt work.

If anyone could help I would be most happy. Thanks people!