Question

1. a large pot already containing 1.75 quarts of water is being filled with 0.15 quarts of water per second from a faucet. the relationship between the number of seconds (t) and the total amount of water in the pot (a) is represented by the equation ( a = 0.15t + 1.75 ). which of the following is the dependent variable in this functional relationship?

a. 1.75

b. 0.15

c. a

d. t

Explanation:

To determine the dependent variable, we recall that in a functional relationship \( y = f(x) \), the dependent variable is the one whose value depends on the independent variable. In the equation \( a = 0.15t + 1.75 \), the total amount of water \( a \) depends on the number of seconds \( t \) (since \( t \) can be changed independently, and \( a \) changes based on \( t \)). The values 1.75 and 0.15 are constants, and \( t \) is the independent variable. So the dependent variable is \( a \).

Answer:

C. \( a \)