Variables are, in the field of mathematics, symbols that appear in a function, a formula, a statement or an algorithm. Its main characteristic is the ability to adopt different values.
When the value of one quantity depends exclusively on the value of another quantity, a mathematical function is established. This second magnitude, which determines the value of the first, is called the independent variable. Instead, the quantity whose value depends on the other acts as the dependent variable. It is important that we know that this term is made up of two words that, etymologically speaking, come from Latin:
-Variable derives from “variabilis”, which means that something can change its appearance and that it is made up of two well-differentiated parts: the verb “variare” (change of appearance) and the suffix “-able”, which is used to indicate possibility .
-Independent, on the other hand, is the result of the union of three Latin components: the prefix “en”, which indicates negation; the verb “to depend”, which can be translated as “to be under the will of another”; and the suffix “-nte”, which is used to register the “agent”.
In addition to all the information that we have provided on the aforementioned independent variable, it is necessary to know other data of interest such as these:
-When used in the field of mathematics or statistics, it is represented by the “x”.
-In your case, it always develops in what is called the abscissa axis.
-Also in some sectors it is called manipulated variable.
– Characterized in that arbitrary values are assigned.
– Within them are the control variables, which modify the other independent ones and which can change a result due to a bias. Take the case of a man who has to go from his house to his place of work, 10 kilometers away. How long the route delay covers will depend on how fast you are moving. In this way, we can establish a function where the speed is the independent variable that determines the duration of the trip (dependent variable). If that person decides to ride a train that travels at a constant speed of 60 kilometers per hour, it will take him 10 minutes to get to his place of work. On the other hand, if you prefer to go to work on a bus that travels at a speed of 45 kilometers per hour, the travel time will be just over 13 minutes. As you can see in the example, the independent variable of this function is the speed, while the travel time is the dependent variable. The duration of the trip depends on the speed: the speed, in this function, depends on itself.
It is important to note that this is a theoretical example to help understand what an independent variable is. In real life, the speed of a means of transport is not usually constant and even varies throughout the day. Simple examples of what an independent variable is:
-The price we pay for some potatoes, a dependent variable, will depend on the number of kilograms of potatoes we buy, an independent variable.
-The cost of a taxi ride, a dependent variable, is given by the length of the trip, an independent variable.
