Equation: y = 1.5x + 8, where y = total cost and represents the dependent variable and x = the number of miles and represents the independent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the total cost and the number of miles driven is a linear equation. That means that the rate of change is the same regardless of the number of miles driven. After the initial flat fee of $8, the rate is $1.50 per mile. So, in order to calculate the total cost of the trip, you will need to multiply the rate ($1.50) by the number of miles and then add the initial fee of $8. In this relationship, the total cost ('y') is the dependent variable, because it is dependent on the number of miles driven. The number of miles ('x') is independent because it is the cause of the total.
