Question

Fiona is paid $11 an hour to work as a referee. The amount of money he earns depends on how many hours he works. Which is a dependent variable, and which is an independent variable?

Answer 1

Number of hours worked = independent

Money earned = dependent

Explanation:

The money earned is dependent because "the amount of money he earns depends on how many hours he works." Since the money earned is dependent, the number of hours worked is independent.

We can also think of it another way. You can pick how many hours you work (theoretically) so this is indepdent. The amount of money earned depends on the hours you worked.

Summary:

Looking at the wording, we can answer the question with the following:

Number of hours worked = independent

Money earned = dependent