Independent & Dependent Variables
Consider the rectangle area computation formula
Area A of Rectangle = [Width W of Rectangle] * [
Length L of Rectangle]
or A = WL. Here A, W and L are three quantities that may vary between
rectangles or for expanding rectangles - an unrolling carpet for instance covers
an expanding rectangle.
- If W and L are given or specified first, they are called the independent
variables, and A = WL is called the dependent variable.
- If you have one or several problems in which A and W are given and L is to
be found from the equation or condition A = WL, then A and W are called the
independent variables and L is called the dependent variable.
In general, if you have several quantities in a problem, the quantities that
are found or determined from the values of the others may be called dependent
variables, while the others are independent variables. There should be no
equation or relationship between the independent variables that can be used to
compute one of them given the rest. (I hope this clear enough for a first
introduction to the concept of dependent and independent variables. If not this
introduction should be rewritten.)
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Algebra, Odds & Ends,
1. Hints for Exams
2A. Exact Arithmetic
2B. Fractions Briefly
3. What is a Variable?
4.. Square Roots
5. Straight Lines
6. Problem Solving Methods
7. Trig and Complex No.
8. Complex Applet
9. History of No.s
10. ln(x) and exp(x)
13. Rename the > Sign
14. Problems: Quadratics
15. Problems: Algebra Test
16. Problems: Linear Eqns I
17. Problems: Linear Eqns II
18. Problem Solving Hints
20. Independent Variables
21. Why Logic
22. Why Math
23. The 15 Times Table
24. The 20 Times Table
25. Algebra Formulas
26. On Learning Maths
27. Maths in Biology
28. Navigation +Time
29 Quibble-What is Algebra
30. Logic in Maths
Odd and Ends, Essays
Constant Retirement Rate
Road Safety
3 Strikes Law in California.
Math HOW-TOs
9 Steps in Maths
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