Independent and Dependent Variables

Independent & Dependent Variables

Dependent Variable​

• ​Depends on the value of some other number

• ​It is a value that is being changed

• ​Dependent variable is the OUTPUT value

• ​Represented by the variable, y

​Independent variable

• ​A variable that represents a quantity that is being manipulated and influences the other

• ​​Independent variable is the INPUT value

• ​Represented by the variable, x

• ​Example: any category with time like minutes, hours, days, weeks...

is independent

Multiple Choice

The number of people at a party.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

The amount of money you can earn at the bake sale.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

The number of hotel rooms needed for the band

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

The number of band members on tour.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

The number of pieces of cake you need at a party.

• Dependent

• Independent

​Example

​Sarah is participating in a walkathon to raise money for local literacy programs. The amount of money Sarah will raise depends on the distance she walks.

​

m = the amount of money Sarah will raise (DEPENDENT)

d = the distance Sarah walks (INDEPENDENT)

Multiple Choice

Sophie earned $1 for every she got an A on her report card.

m = money

A = A on report card

The dependent variable is:

• m = money

• A = A on report card

Multiple Choice

A movie ticket is $8.50 per person. What is the independent variable?

• Cost

• Number of people

• Tie

• Cinema

Multiple Choice

Carey and Justin are raising money to purchase books for their school's library. The more money they raise, the more books they will be able to purchase for the library.

m = the amount of money Carey and Justin raise

b = the number of books Carey and Justin will be able to purchase

Which of the variables is dependent?

• m

• b

Multiple Choice

Sarah is bringing treats to her elementary school class on her birthday. The number of treats she brings in is based on the number of students in her class.

t = the number of treats

s = the number of students

Which of the variables is independent?

• s

• t

Multiple Choice

Time is ALWAYS...

• Independent

• Dependent

• Money

• Not a variable