A functional relationship between two or more variables may be presented in a variety of ways. In this section of the lesson, you will investigate independent and dependent variables using a variety of representations and sentence structures.
Consider each of the following situations.
The size of the pumpkin determines the number of seeds it contains.
The number of magazines determines the amount of shelf space I need.
Identify the independent and dependent variable for both situations.
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Which variable controls the result of the other variable? That variable will be your independent variable.
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.
Now that you have identified the independent variable and dependent variable for both of these situations, use the variables to complete the sentence stems shown below. Drag the appropriate tile to the blank in order to complete each sentence.
Study the completed sentences for both situations.
How can you identify the independent variable from a given sentence?
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. The independent variable is the variable whose presence creates a resulting action.
How can you identify the dependent variable from a given sentence?
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. The dependent variable is the variable that happens as a result of the independent variable.
In each of the following situations, identify the independent variable and the dependent variable.
An amusement park charges an $8 admission fee and $1.50 to ride each ride. The amount of money that Charlene spends at the amusement park will depend on the number of rides that she rides.
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Which variable determines the outcome in the situation?
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.
The independent variable is the number of rides, and the dependent variable is the amount of money spent.
Deaundre receives two vacation days for every month that he works.
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Which variable determines the outcome in the situation?
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.
The independent variable is the number of months worked, and the dependent variable is the number of vacation days received.
Landscapers purchase a certain number of bags of fertilizer based on the size of the lawn.
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Which variable determines the outcome in the situation?
Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.
The independent variable is the size of the lawn, and the dependent variable is the number of bags of fertilizer purchased.
For Questions 4 and 5, identify a statement that describes the relationship. There may be more than one correct answer.