Final answer:
In mathematics, when calculating the calories burned during hiking, the calories burned is the dependent variable, the hours hiked is the independent variable, and the function C(h) = 85h represents this relationship. For example, hiking for three hours would result in 255 calories burned.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves determining the total calories burned while hiking given a specific rate of calorie burn per hour and the total hours hiked. The dependent variable is the number of calories burned, and the independent variable is the number of hours hiked. Using function notation, we express the relationship between these variables as C(h) = 85h.
For Kim, who hikes for three hours, we calculate the calories burned as:
C(3) = 85 * 3 = 255 calories.
This calculation tells us that Kim will burn 255 calories after hiking for three hours.