Final answer:
The independent variable is the total hours driven (x), and the dependent variable is the gallons of gas remaining. The relationship between these variables is given by the function H(x) = 9 - 2x. After 4 hours of driving, the car would have 1 gallon of gas left.
Step-by-step explanation:
The independent variable, x, represents the total hours driven, because the amount of gasoline used depends on the number of hours driven. Conversely, the dependent variable is the number of gallons of gas remaining in the tank, since it relies on the independent variable.
A function relating these variables is H(x) = 9 - 2x. When we calculate H(4), we use the function to find out how many gallons of gas are left after 4 hours of driving. So, H(4) = 9 - 2(4) = 9 - 8 = 1 gallon. This means after 4 hours, Jeriel will have 1 gallon of gas remaining in the car's tank.