Knowing how to identify independent and dependent variables is a very important skill for success in studying algebra. Functions are ways that we can describe the relationship between independent and dependent variables. We use functions to investigate many types of mathematical relationships.

One of the useful representations of functional relationships is formulas. Formulas are used to make calculations about measurement, geometry, finance, and scientific relationships.

You can think of a formula as a funnel. Independent variables go into the funnel. The formula tells you which computations to perform, and the dependent variable is the result of the computations, or the output of the formula.