IXL | Identify independent and dependent variables

Frank is raking lawns to earn spending money. The amount of time it takes him to rake a particular lawn determines how much he charges for raking it.

t = the amount of time Frank spends raking a lawn
f = the fee Frank charges for raking a lawn

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

f is the independent variable and t is the dependent variable

t is the independent variable and f is the dependent variable

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Learn with an example

question

Kendrick is having a shoe organizer built into his closet. The number of racks required will be calculated based on how many shoes Kendrick owns.

r = the number of racks
s = the number of shoes

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

s is the independent variable and r is the dependent variable

r is the independent variable and s 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 racks required depends on the number of shoes he owns, the number of racks is the dependent variable. So, r is the dependent variable.

Since the number of shoes Kendrick owns does not depend on the number of racks in the organizer, the number of shoes is the independent variable. So, s is the independent variable.

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Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

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