Final answer:
The question pertains to mathematics, specifically the topic of linear independence and the Wronskian. It involves understanding independent and dependent variables, plotting graphs, and analyzing data to find linear relationships and correlation coefficients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is mathematics, specifically focusing on the topic of linear independence and the concept of the Wronskian. When we talk about independent and dependent variables in the context of graphs and equations, the independent variable is the one that we can change or control, whereas the dependent variable is the one that changes in response to the independent variable.
In the case of graphing distance vs. cost, typically we would consider cost to be the dependent variable and distance the independent variable, because the cost is often a function of the distance traveled. To create a graph, you would plot distance on the horizontal (x-axis) and cost on the vertical (y-axis), ensuring both axes are properly labeled and scaled.
When analyzing data to find a linear relationship, you would enter data into a calculator or a computer to output a linear equation, usually in the form y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept. If you were to find the correlation coefficient in a data set, it would indicate the strength and direction of the relationship between the two variables.