Question

A scientist measures the height, h, of a tree each month, and m is the number of months since thescientist first measured the height of the tree.1. Is the height, h, a function of the month, m?2. Is the month, m, a function of the height, h?

Answer 1

Given:

Height of tree = h

Number of months = m

Given that a scientist measures the height, h, of a tree each month and m is the number of months since the scientist first measured the height of the tree.

• Here, the dependent variable is height of the tree h because it depends on the number of months.

• The independent variable is the number of months m.

The dependent variable is a function of the independent variable.

Since the height is the dependent variable, we can say the height, h, is a function of the month, m.

ANSWER:

1. Yes, the height, h, is a function of the month, m.

2. No, the month, m, is NOT a function of the height, h.