Question

A bike rental shop rents out bicycles with a flat rate of $6 and then charges $2 per hour a person rents out the bike. Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable. Then write an equation relating the cost, C, to the number of hours the bicycle was rented.

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Equation:

Answer 1

Independent Variable: Number of hours

Dependent Variable: Cost

Equation: C = 2x + 6

Explanation:

The independent variable (x) is the variable that is manipulated. In this instance, that would be the number of hours a person rents out the bike.

The dependent variable (C) is the variable that is manipulated depending on the value of the independent variable. In this instance, that would be the total cost for renting the bike.

The total equation would be C = 2x + 6. The coefficient, 2, represents the charge of $2 per hour and the 6 represents the starting charge of $6.