ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Physics => Topic started by: BlueYoHo on March 24, 2009, 11:46:52 pm

Title: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: BlueYoHo on March 24, 2009, 11:46:52 pm

I keep forgetting the difference between the two. When your graphing something (e.g. Force vs time) what axis does what go on? (if that makes sense).

I thought that an independent variable is one that you can change...
and an dependant variable is dependant on the other one..?

Is that right?

I'm not sure, can you guys help please.

Title: Re: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: brendan on March 24, 2009, 11:48:14 pm

Yeah thats good enough for me

Title: Re: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: Collin Li on March 25, 2009, 12:24:43 am

Typically, the independent variable goes on the x-axis (horizontal), which is a good convention to stick with, unless you're studying economics, which is notorious for having its independent variable (price) on the vertical axis.

Title: Re: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: BlueYoHo on March 25, 2009, 07:30:41 pm

K cool, thanks.

Title: Re: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: Flaming_Arrow on March 25, 2009, 07:32:43 pm

time always goes on the x axis

Title: Re: Dependant and Independant variables.
Post by: ReVeL on March 25, 2009, 07:57:48 pm

Quote from: coblin on March 25, 2009, 12:24:43 am

Typically, the independent variable goes on the x-axis (horizontal), which is a good convention to stick with, unless you're studying economics, which is notorious for having its independent variable (price) on the vertical axis.

Haha I always wondered about that, and argued with my economics teacher of course to no avail...