Question

bernie is making frosting for some cupcakes he baked earlier. the amount of frosting needed depends on how many cupcakes there are.

$f$ = the amount of frosting needed
$c$ = the number of cupcakes

which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?

$f$ is the independent variable and $c$ is the dependent variable
$c$ is the independent variable and $f$ is the dependent variable

Explanation:

An independent variable is the one that is controlled or changed, while a dependent variable depends on the independent variable. Here, the number of cupcakes ($c$) is the variable that determines how much frosting ($f$) is needed, so $c$ is independent and $f$ depends on it.

Answer:

c is the independent variable and f is the dependent variable