Question

A leetle confused.
Will medal, I promise!
(see attachment)

An independent variable is a functional relation who's value determines the value or values of other variables.
So how on earth am I applying that to this question??

Answer 1

@mathmale
Could you maybe assist me?

Answer 2

Cost

Answer 3

An independent variable is a variable that is freely choicen without considering the value of other variables. Eg y=3t+6
The independent variable is t

Answer 4

You're given a graph and are asked to identify the independent variable. Convention has it that this variable is represented by the horizontal axis, not the vertical one. Look at the graph and find the name of the quantity associated with the horiz. axis. That's your independent variable.

Unfortunately, what you have written ("an independent variable is a functional relation") is not at all true. Try to unlearn that.

Answer 5

Ooh, would sales be the correct answer? @mathmale

How nice! That definition of an independent variable that I wrote up above is the EXACT wording from my textbook and its wrong??
Wait, dictionary.com says the same thing practically....

Answer 6

And then, here is what the definition from my school says...

Answer 7

Here, just to clear all odds... @mathmale
what is the correct definition that you yourself would give me so that way I can understand it easier.

Answer 8

@mathmale

Answer 9

@AihberKhan
Here ya are :)

Answer 10

Okay. So you are asking what the independent variable is right?

@Atsie

Answer 11

Yes that, and also if the Sales ($millions) is the correct one for me to pick in the original question I posted. @AihberKhan

Answer 12

double check the definition of "independent variable" as defined by Webster and as copied down by you. One uses "is" but the other uses "in". Makes a huge difference.

Answer 13

Okay well in a graph the independent variable is usually on the horizontal axis of a graph...

Answer 14

So now what do you think the answer is?

Answer 15

Also... the definition is:

An independent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.

Answer 16

Now using that info... what can you see... what might it be?

Answer 17

Ahh, ya'll respond fast.
Okay, good to know about the definition of the independent variable.
I'm guessing that its B, or is that wrong?

Answer 18

No, that is on the vertical axis... Also it does not stand alone meaning it isn't independent.

Check again. What do you think it is?

@Atsie

Answer 19

Cost?
That doesn't make sense though because it isn't really in the graph itself.

Answer 20

Right! So it is NOT cost.

Now what about A?

Why or why not is it A?

@Atsie

Answer 21

Well, because Annual Sales also isn't on the graph...either or am I looking at it wrong?

Answer 22

If annual sales is the one I'm gonna have to slap myself upside the head and ask you why on earth it is and how come I'm not seeing it.

Answer 23

No, annual sales is the WHOLE graph...

So the whole graph is talking about the annual sales.

We are looking for the variable. So the only answer left is year.

It is year, because it is horizontal on the graph. Also, it stands alone. It is not changed by the other variables.

Answer 24

Do you see it now? :)

@Atsie

Answer 25

Oooooohhh.....I'm a dumb ape afterall!
Thank you so much! @AihberKhan

Answer 26

Thanks to you as well @mathmale
I appreciate it :)

Answer 27

Haha, it is fine! We all need help sometimes! :)

@Atsie

Answer 28

Well, thanks again!! :))