I need help on finding dependent and independent variables in word problems?

Question

A large 2-toppin pizza, L, costs $2 more than a medium 3-topping pizza,M. what is the dependent variable? What is the independent variable?

Answer 1

The cost of a large pizza, L, is $2 more than the cost of a medium pizza, M.

 

That means L = M + 2

 

M is independent

L is dependent

 

Honestly, this is not a good example of showing dependent and independent variables.

A good example is Area of a Circle is pi x radius squared; A = Π×r². Here, it is clear that the radius is independent and the area is dependent. As radius changes, the Area changes. The area depends on the radius.

Answer 2

Independent variables are variables that are not affected by any conditions. 

Dependent variables are variables that change if conditions relative to that variable changes.

 

 

In this case, a large 2-topping pizza is the dependent variable because it is affected by the cost of a medium 3-topping pizza. 

 

We can write the following problem as an equation.

 

L = M + 2