To solve this problem, let's break down the given equation [tex]\( y = |x - 98.6| \)[/tex] and understand the meaning of the variables [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( y \)[/tex].
1. Identify the Average Temperature:
- The average internal temperature of a human is given as [tex]\( 98.6^\circ F \)[/tex].
2. Understand the Deviation:
- The equation [tex]\( y = |x - 98.6| \)[/tex] represents how much a temperature [tex]\( x \)[/tex] deviates from the average temperature [tex]\( 98.6^\circ F \)[/tex].
- The absolute value function [tex]\( |x - 98.6| \)[/tex] calculates the magnitude of the difference between the current temperature [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and the average temperature [tex]\( 98.6 \)[/tex]. This is because the absolute value of a number is always non-negative, and thus measures the "distance" from [tex]\( x \)[/tex] to [tex]\( 98.6 \)[/tex] on a number line.
3. Assign Meaning to [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:
- From the equation [tex]\( y = |x - 98.6| \)[/tex], [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is the variable representing the current temperature.
- [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is the variable representing the deviation from the average temperature, which means it is how far [tex]\( x \)[/tex] deviates from [tex]\( 98.6^\circ F \)[/tex].
4. Match the Variables to the Options:
- [tex]\( x \)[/tex] as the current temperature and [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as the deviation from the average temperature.
In conclusion, the correct interpretation is:
- [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represents the current temperature.
- [tex]\( y \)[/tex] represents the deviation from the average temperature.
Therefore, the correct option is:
X : current temperature, Y : deviation from the average temperature
