Final answer:
The independent variable is the number of miles, and the dependent variable is the total cost of the ride from the taxi company. The initial fee is part of the total cost, which depends on the number of miles traveled.the correct answer is option a)
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario involving a ride from the Yellow Taxi Company, the amount you pay depends on how many miles you travel. This setup means that the independent variable is the number of miles, since it is the variable you can change that influences the final cost of the taxi ride. The dependent variable is then the total cost of the ride from the taxi Company, as it depends on the number of miles traveled.
The correct answer to the student's question is: b. Independent variable: Miles, Dependent variable: Initial fee. However, to clarify, while the initial fee is indeed a component of the total cost, it does not vary with the miles. The total cost, which is what depends on the number of miles and the initial fee, is what would usually be called the dependent variable. If we were strictly distinguishing between the initial fee and the total cost, the most accurate description would be that the number of miles is the independent variable, and the total cost (including the initial fee plus $1.20 per mile) is the dependent variable.