Section 1
Independent and dependent variables
Property
An independent variable is the input whose value you can choose. A dependent variable is the output whose value is determined by the independent variable. The dependent variable's value always depends on the value chosen for the independent variable.
Examples
- The cost of a phone bill (dependent) is determined by the amount of data used (independent).
- Your final grade (dependent) is determined by the number of assignments you complete (independent).
- The total cost (dependent) is determined by the number of movie tickets you buy (independent).
Explanation
It’s a cause-and-effect relationship! The number of hours you play video games (independent) affects your homework completion (dependent). You choose the game time, and that choice determines the outcome of your homework. Your choice is the cause, and the result is the effect.