Independent Vaviables / best value

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lizzpalmer

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This is the question that I have:

Is it possible that the independent variable of a function has more than one best value? How does the graph look in such a case?

I was hoping to get an explaination of what the question is asking and how to go about coming up with a graph that matches this.
 


lizzpalmer said:
Is it possible that the independent variable of a function has more than one best value?
Click to expand...

I've never seen a definition for "the best value of an independent variable".

Do you know what they are talking about, when they say "best value" ?

 
Not a clue. I can see what other students have answered the discussion with and see if that helps you.

This was one student's answer:

Essentially, any function where the degree is an even number will result in multiple "best values" for the independent variable. The degree of this is function is 4 but the shape looks similar to a parabola and it intersects the x-axis twice, thus resulting in two "best values."
 
It looks as though what is meant is best APPROXIMATION to the "roots" or "zeros" of the polynomial. Really stupid phraseology in my uninformed opinion.

Is this an exercise in finding approximate answers? You do understand what is meant by a "root" or "zero" of a polynomial I presume.
 


This is yet another example of how poorly-executed many on-line math courses are.

Does this exercise come directly out of the textbook?

If so, what does the textbook have to say about "best" values of x?

If not, can you contact the instructor for a definition of "best" value of x?

 
The term best isnt mentioned in the book. That's why I didn't know where to start. I think what he means is optimal value. Something along the lines of the best price? Make sense?
 


There are too many possible interpretations swimming around in my head for me to put my finger on any one of them. So, no. "Optimal" value of x does not make sense, either.

You need to ask your instructor to explain what he means by "best value of the independent variable". I am confident that this terminology is not standard for whatever generality the author is trying to describe.

Even if we take the literal meaning of the word "best" and reason, "there can only be one best of any thing, otherwise it would not be best", there are still issues within the mathematical context of an independent variable.

Additionally, this question (as worded) pertains to every possible function that exists, so, whatever they are talking about, we need to take into consideration any possible function while trying to answer the question.

Ugh.

If you cannot get clarification, would it be a big deal to skip this exercise?

If the point of this exercise actually involves some important concept, I'm sure that the course will revisit it in the future.

 
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