Question

question 7 of 10
the number of text messages sent and the number of phone calls made in a sample of 100 students
identify the explanatory variable and the response variable, if possible
explanatory variable: number of text messages; response variable: number of phone calls
explanatory variable: students; response variable: number of phone calls made
explanatory variable: number of phone calls; response variable: number of text messages
either variable could be the explanatory variable because each one could be used to predict or explain the other.

Explanation:

An explanatory variable is the one that is manipulated or used to predict the other variable. A response variable is the one that is being measured or predicted. In this case, since there is no clear indication of a cause - effect relationship where one variable is used to predict the other in a fixed way (e.g., we can't say for sure that text messages cause phone calls or vice - versa), either variable could potentially be used to predict or explain the other.

Answer:

Either variable could be the explanatory variable because each one could be used to predict or explain the other.