In a standard Cartesian coordinate system, we plot data points on a graph using two axes: the horizontal axis (commonly known as the [tex]$x$[/tex]-axis) and the vertical axis (commonly known as the [tex]$y$[/tex]-axis).
To distinguish between different types of variables, we categorize them into independent and dependent variables.
1. Independent Variable:
- The independent variable is the variable that you control or manipulate. It stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.
- On a graph, the independent variable is typically placed on the horizontal or [tex]$x$[/tex]-axis.
2. Dependent Variable:
- The dependent variable is the variable that depends on the independent variable. It is the variable that you observe and measure, and it is expected to change as a result of manipulations to the independent variable.
- On a graph, the dependent variable is typically placed on the vertical or [tex]$y$[/tex]-axis.
Thus, the dependent variable should be placed on the vertical or [tex]$y$[/tex]-axis.
