Question

a small publishing house is taking pre-orders for a novel to be released next month. the more pre-orders they receive, the more copies of the novel they will print.
$p$ = the number of pre-orders
$c$ = the number of copies of the novel they will print
which of the variables is independent and which is dependent?
$c$ is the independent variable and $p$ is the dependent variable
$p$ is the independent variable and $c$ is the dependent variable

Explanation:

An independent variable is the factor that is controlled or changed, while a dependent variable is the outcome that depends on the independent variable. Here, the number of pre-orders ($p$) determines how many copies are printed ($c$), so $p$ is independent and $c$ depends on it.

Answer:

p is the independent variable and c is the dependent variable