The following graph shows the populations of the metropolitan areas of City X and City Y over six years.
-If equations of the form y = f(t) were determined that modeled either of the two graphs, then the variable t would represent _______ and the variable y would represent _______.
A) population (in millions); year
B) City Y; City X
C) City X; City Y
D) year; population (in millions)

Question

The following graph shows the populations of the metropolitan areas of City X and City Y over six years. 
-If equations of the form y = f(t) were determined that modeled either of the two graphs, then the variable t would represent _______ and the variable y would represent _______.
A) population (in millions); year 
B) City Y; City X 
C) City X; City Y 
D) year; population (in millions)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In equations of the form y = f(t), typically, t represents the independent variable (time, in many cases), and y represents the dependent variable (what is being measured or predicted, such as population). Thus, "year" would be the independent variable t, and "population (in millions)" would be the dependent variable y.

The Following Graph Shows the Populations of the Metropolitan Areas