IXL - Identify independent and dependent variables in tables and graphs (Algebra 1 practice)

At Sunrise Mountain Resort, skiers and snowboarders use a chairlift to get to the top of a hill. The graph shows the relationship between the number of full chairs,

that arrive at the top of the hill and the total number of people transported,

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

c is the independent variable, and p is the dependent variable.

p is the independent variable, and c is the dependent variable.

Complete the sentence.

The dependent variable is always the independent variable.

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Meg works at the Wild Tricks skate shop, and she needs to attach wheels to new skateboards. The table shows the relationship between the number of skateboards,

Meg works on, and the total number of wheels she needs to attach,

Skateboards (s)	1	2	3	4
Wheels (w)	4	8	12	16

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

w is the independent variable, and s is the dependent variable.

s is the independent variable, and w is the dependent variable.

Complete the sentence.

The dependent variable is always the independent variable.

key idea

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.

solution

The table shows, for each number of skateboards Meg works on, the total number of wheels she needs to attach.

Skateboards (s)	1	2	3	4
Wheels (w)	4	8	12	16

The number of skateboards,

that Meg works on does not depend on the total number of wheels she needs to attach. So, s is the independent variable.

The total number of wheels Meg needs to attach,

depends on the number of skateboards she works on. So, w is the dependent variable.

Now determine how to find the dependent variable,

from the independent variable,

s	1	2	3	4
w	1 4 = 4	2 4 = 8	3 4 = 12	4 4 = 16

The dependent variable,

is always 4 times the independent variable,

That means Meg attaches 4 wheels to each skateboard.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	02

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

Write variable expressions: word problems

Write the rule for an input/output table

Lesson: Independent and dependent variables

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!