Question

temperature of different planets
mercury = 167 c
venus = 464 c
earth = 15 c
mars = -65 c
jupiter = -110 c
saturn = -140 c
uranus = - 195 c
neptune = - 225 c
a. what is the independent variable?
b. what is the dependent variable?
c. what is the average temperature of the planets?

Explanation:

A. Independent Variable

The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or is the cause, here the planets (as we are measuring temperature for different planets, planets are the independent variable as they are the entities we are observing temperatures for).

The dependent variable depends on the independent variable. Here temperature depends on which planet we are considering, so temperature is the dependent variable.

Step1: Sum all temperatures

First, we sum up all the given temperatures: \(167 + 464+15 + (- 65)+(-110)+(-140)+(-195)+(-225)\)
Let's calculate step by step:
\(167 + 464 = 631\)
\(631+15 = 646\)
\(646-65 = 581\)
\(581 - 110 = 471\)
\(471-140 = 331\)
\(331-195 = 136\)
\(136-225=-89\)

Step2: Divide by number of planets

There are 8 planets. So average temperature \(=\frac{- 89}{8}\)
\(\frac{-89}{8}=-11.125\) °C

Answer:

Planets

B. Dependent Variable