What is the meaning of independent in math terms?

Answer 1

It would depend on the context. However, the most common are with respect to what are known as "variables". A variable is the part of the equation that changes while the formula stays the same. A variable can be either "dependent" or "independent". For Example:

Lets say you wanted to know the value of a house (represented by Y). The only two variables are the size of the property (represented by a) and the number of bedrooms (represented by b). The function (also known as equation) might look like this

Y=2a+b

In this situation both "a" and "b" are independent because they can be any value (ie, a = 2, b = 1) and you will find the answer for the dependent variable (which is solved because you knew the value of the two independent variables).

Y=2a+b

Y=2(2)+(1)

Y=4+1

Y=1

So to summarize, independent in this context means that it does not rely on another input or factor to determine it's value.