Question

what are the independent and dependent variables represented by the investigative question?
you ask a worker \how many hours did you work last week, and how much did you earn for the week?\
the independent variable is the number of hours worked because the variable changes. the dependent variable is the amount earned because the variable does not change

Explanation:

To determine independent and dependent variables: The independent variable is what we can control or what changes freely. Here, the number of hours worked can vary (worker decides hours), so it's independent. The dependent variable depends on the independent one—amount earned depends on hours worked (more hours → more earnings), so it changes based on hours. The "does not change" part for dependent was incorrect; it should be "changes based on the independent variable". So correcting the dependent variable's reasoning: The dependent variable is the amount earned because the variable changes based on the number of hours worked (independent variable). The independent variable is number of hours worked (changes freely), dependent is amount earned (changes based on hours).

Answer:

The independent variable is the number of hours worked because the variable changes (the worker can choose or have varying hours). The dependent variable is the amount earned because the variable changes based on the number of hours worked (earnings depend on hours worked).

(For the blanks: Independent variable - number of hours worked, reason - changes; Dependent variable - amount earned, reason - changes based on the number of hours worked (replace "does not change" with "changes based on the independent variable").)