Students at the Somerville High School homecoming dance always get their pictures taken. The number of pictures the photographer will take is determined by how many students are attending the dance.

Question

Students at the Somerville High School homecoming dance always get their pictures taken. The number of pictures the photographer will take is determined by how many students are attending the dance.

p = the number of pictures the photographer will take
s = the number of students attending the dance

Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

Answer 1

The number of students attending the dance (s) is independent, as it is the variable that is determining the number of pictures taken. The number of pictures taken (p) is the dependent variable, as it is dependent on the number of students attending the dance.