Identifying the Independent and Dependent Variables

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

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
d = the distance Sarah walks

Which of the variables is dependent?

• m

• d

In order to earn extra money on the weekends, Josie's string quartet performs at wedding receptions. The longer the reception, the more money they earn.
r = the length of the reception
m = the amount of money Josie's quartet earns
Which of the variables is independent?

• r

• m

In order to earn extra spending money, Dalton babysits children after school. The greater the number of hours he babysits, the more money he earns.
h = the number of hours Dalton babysits
m = the amount of money Dalton earns
Which of the variables is dependent?

• h

• m

Which of the following is true?

• The dependent variable is total cost

• The dependent variable is weight

• The independent variable is total cost

• The independent variable is cost of a package

Mr. Pransky wants to see how different surfaces affect how high a tennis ball can bounce. What is the independent variable?

• the different surfaces

• how high they bounce

What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• John's age

• John's height

What is the DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• John's age

• John's height

The more gallons of milk I have, the more glasses of milk I can drink.

What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• gallons of milk

• glasses of milk I drink

What is the DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• gallons of milk

• glasses of milk I drink