Independent & Dependent Variables

Tammy 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?

• The number of treats is the independent variable.
• The number of students is the independent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

Elise and Marta are going hiking and are trying to figure out how much water they should bring with them on the hike. The amount of water they should bring depends on how long they plan to hike.
w = the amount of water they should bring on the hike
t = the length of the hike
Which of the variables is dependent?

• The length of the hike is the dependent variable.
•  The amount of water they should bring is the dependent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

A small apple orchard hires fruit pickers to harvest their crop. The number of apples harvested each day depends on the number of fruit pickers hired.
f = the number of fruit pickers hired
a = the number of apples harvested each day
Which of the variables is dependent?

• The number of fruit pickers hired is the dependent variable.
• The number of apples harvested each day is the dependent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

A solar farm in California produces much of its output during the summer, when the sun is the most intense. The amount of power produced by a solar cell increases with the amount of sunlight it receives.
p = the amount of power produced
s = the amount of sunlight received
Which of the variables is independent?

• The amount of sunlight is the independent variable.
• The amount of power produced is the independent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

Ying is mowing lawns to earn spending money over the summer. The more lawns he mows, the more money he will earn.
l = the number of lawns Ying mows
m = the amount of money Ying makes
Which of the variables is dependent? 

• The amount of money Ying makes is the dependent variable.
• The number of lawns Ying mows is the dependent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

The senior class at Yardley High School is graduating. The duration of the graduation ceremony is dictated by how many students are receiving diplomas.
d = the duration of the graduation ceremony
s = the number of students receiving diplomas
Which of the variables is independent?

• The number of students receiving diplomas is the independent variable.
• The duration of the graduation ceremony is the independent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

Every day at lunch, Belle swims laps in the pool for one hour. The number of laps she is able to swim in the hour depends on the speed at which she swims.
l = the number of laps Belle is able to swim in one hour
s = the speed at which Belle swims
Which of the variables is dependent?

• The number of laps Belle is able to swim in one hour is the dependent variable.
• The speed at which Belle swims is the dependent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

Rafi is making goodie bags for his child's birthday party, and he is buying bottles of bubbles for the bags. The quantity of bubbles Rafi purchases will be determined by how many guests attend the party.
b = the number of bottles of bubbles Rafi purchases
g = the number of guests
Which of the variables is independent?

• The number of guests is the independent variable.
• The number of bottles of bubbles Rafi purchases is the independent variable.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9