Question

Consider the functions f(x) =7x-2 and f(x) =x^3 +5 . In these functions, when x increases, f(x) increases, and when x decreases, f(x) decreases. If all the variables in a function change, why are some variables called independent and other variables called dependent?

Answer 1

Easy, this is only one example of functions that increase and decrease together

Answer 2

x is called independent because its the value that determines y, so y is called dependent

Answer 3

Now, you have two functions that just so happen to have x increase and y increase and vice versa, but for an equation such as x^2+2x+3, as x decreases (past the y axis) the y values start to increase and this goes on to -infintity