IDENTIFYING INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES IN MATH

There are two variables. One is called the independent variable and the other is called the dependent variable.

The variable whose value does not depend on the other variable is the independent variable. The variable whose value depends on the other variable is the dependent variable.

Let us consider the below examples to understand what are dependent and independent variables.

Example 1 :

Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar? Temperature of the water is measured in degrees Centigrade. Amount of sugar is measured in grams.

Solution :

Here ,

Independent variable  =  temperature 

Dependent variable  =  quantity of sugar dissolving

Example 2 :

Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar? Temperature of the water is measured in degrees Centigrade. Amount of sugar is measured in grams.

Solution :

Here ,

Independent variable  =  temperature 

Dependent variable  =  quantity of sugar dissolving

Example 3 :

How old is Michael's father if he is 5 more than 3 times as old as Michael ?

Solution :

Here ,

Independent variable  =  Michael's age 

Dependent variable  =  Michael's father's age

Example 4 :

Sachin saves $x every day. How much does he save in one week?

Solution :

Here ,

Independent variable  =  Every day's saving 

Dependent variable  =  His one week saving

Example 5 :

Cora is hosting a potluck dinner for her book club. The number of chairs she will need depends on the number of members who attend.

c = the number of chairs Cora will need
m = the number of members who attend the potluck

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

Solution :

Since the number of chairs Cora will need depends on the number of members who attend the potluck, the number of chairs is the dependent variable. So, c is the dependent variable.

Since the number of members who attend the potluck does not depend on the number of chairs Cora will need, the number of members is the independent variable. So, m is the independent variable.

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