IXL | Identify independent and dependent variables

At a conference, Omar is handing out candy to people who visit his booth. The number of visitors determines the total amount of candy he hands out.

c = the total amount of candy Omar hands out
v = the number of visitors to Omar's booth

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

v is the independent variable and c is the dependent variable

c is the independent variable and v is the dependent variable

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Learn with an example

question

Kurt is making goodie bags for his child's birthday party, and he is buying bottles of bubbles for the bags. The quantity of bubbles Kurt purchases will be determined by how many guests attend the party.

b = the number of bottles of bubbles Kurt purchases
g = the number of guests

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

g is the independent variable and b is the dependent variable

b is the independent variable and g 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 number of bottles of bubbles Kurt purchases depends on the number of guests, the number of bubbles is the dependent variable. So, b is the dependent variable.

Since the number of guests does not depend on how many bubble bottles Kurt purchases, the number of guests is the independent variable. So, g is the independent variable.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

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K.4Write variable expressions: word problems

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

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