Variables
Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables
Independent variables are basically variables that stand alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.
Dependent variables are basically the opposite. They do not stand alone and are something that depend on other factors.
An easy way to identify between the two variables is to insert the names of the two variables you are using in this sentence in the way that makes the most sense. Then you can figure out which is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable:
(Independent variable) causes a change in (Dependent Variable) and it isn't possible that (Dependent Variable) could cause a change in (Independent Variable).
For example, if we are to consider the following scenario:
A ship is en route. For every 1 nautical mile it traveled, it consumes 0.05 metric Ton of fuel.
In this case the independent variable would be the nautical miles traveled and the dependent variable is the fuel consumed.