Lesson: Dependent and Independent Variables Mathematics • 6th Grade

In this lesson, we will learn how to determine the dependent and independent variables and solve word problems.

Lesson Plan

Students will be able to

understand what it means for variables to be dependent or independent in a relation,
identify the dependent and independent variables in a relation described in words,
understand dependent and independent variables in the context of functions (i.e., and in ).

Q1:

Identify the dependent variable in the following situation: Ethan spent dollars on pens.

Q2:

Identify the independent variable in the following situation: A garden hose runs for hours and produces gallons of water.

Q3:

Consider these related quantities: a call duration and its cost.

Which quantity is the independent variable?

Which quantity is the dependent variable?