Question

the electric company charges its customers based on usage. the billing amount is base on the quantity of electricity consumed. b = the billing amount q = the quantity of electricity consumed which of the variables is independent and which is dependent? b is the independent variable and q is the dependent variable q is the independent variable and b is the dependent variable

Explanation:

To determine independent and dependent variables, we analyze the relationship: the billing amount (\(b\)) depends on the electricity consumed (\(q\)). An independent variable is the one that causes change (here, \(q\) as consumption is chosen by the customer), and the dependent variable is the one that changes because of the independent variable (here, \(b\) as billing depends on \(q\)). So \(q\) is independent, \(b\) is dependent.

Answer:

q is the independent variable and b is the dependent variable