IXL | Identify independent and dependent variables

Sharon is making a scrapbook. As she adds more photos, the scrapbook grows thicker.

p = the number of photos added
t = the thickness of the scrapbook

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

t is the independent variable and p is the dependent variable

p is the independent variable and t is the dependent variable

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question

Brooke works for a small company that sells books online and is responsible for mailing out the books to customers. Every morning she gets in line at the local post office and estimates the length of her wait. The more people in line ahead of her, the longer she will need to wait.

p = the number of people in line ahead of Brooke
w = the length of time Brooke will need to wait

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

w is the independent variable and p is the dependent variable

p is the independent variable and w is the dependent variable

key idea

There are two variables. One is called the independent variable and the other is called the dependent variable.
The variable whose value does not depend on the other variable is the independent variable. The variable whose value depends on the other variable is the dependent variable.

solution

Start by finding the dependent variable.

Since the length of time Brooke will need to wait depends on the number of people in line ahead of her, the length of time is the dependent variable. So, w is the dependent variable.

Since the number of people in line ahead of Brooke does not depend on the length of time she will need to wait, the number of people is the independent variable. So, p is the independent variable.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

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R.3Write variable expressions: word problems

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

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