Question

What does a dependent and independent variable mean?

Answer 1

I tried this:

Explanation:

Consider a Function ; this is a Rule, a Law that tells us how a number is related to another...(this is very simplified). A function normally relates a chosen value of `x` to a determinate value of `y`.

Consider as an example a vending machine: you put, say `1$`, and you get a can of soda...

Our vending machine is relating money and soda. Now you can put the amount you like (`1, 2, 3...$`) BUT when you put a certain amount the result is only one...I mean if you put `1$` you get a soda nothing else...if you want a sandwich you need another amount.

The amount of money you put depends upon you while the product is fixed; so the amount of money is INDEPENDENT (you put what you want) the resulting product given by the machine (once you decided) is DEPENDENT upon the amount you put in.

For our mathematical function, once you choose a value for `x` the corresponding value of `y` DEPENDS upon this choice…

Hope I didn't confuse you even more...