Final answer:
In a study of the relationship between house size and selling price, size is the independent variable and selling price is the dependent variable.
So, the correct answer is: B. The independent variable
Step-by-step explanation:
If one wishes to study the relationship between selling price and size of houses, the size would typically be considered the independent variable, which is often represented by 'x' in a mathematical context. The selling price, consequently, would be the dependent variable or 'y', because it is expected to depend on or change in response to the fluctuation in the size of the house.
It is generally understood that in a statistical analysis involving two variables, the independent variable is the one that is manipulated or controlled, while the dependent variable is the one that is measured or studied to see if it is affected by changes in the independent variable.
The independent variable in this situation is the size of houses, while the dependent variable is the selling price of houses. The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed, while the dependent variable is the one that is affected by the change in the independent variable. In this case, the size of houses is being studied to determine its relationship with the selling price.