Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) ATI Mathematics Practice Test

What are the dependent and independent variables in the graph?

1. The dependent variable is Nurses. The independent variable is Physicians.

2. The dependent variable is Physicians. The independent variable is Nurses.

3. The dependent variable is Hospital Staff. The independent variable is Average hours worked per week.

4. The dependent variable is Average hours worked per week. The independent variable is Hospital Staff.

The correct answer is: The dependent variable is Average hours worked per week. The independent variable is Hospital Staff.

In the context of variables in a graph, the dependent variable is the one that is affected by changes in another variable, while the independent variable is the one that stands alone and is not affected by other variables. In the selected answer, "Average hours worked per week" is the dependent variable. This means that the amount of hours worked is likely influenced by the number of "Hospital Staff." For example, as the number of staff changes, it can impact the average number of hours that each staff member works—if there are more staff, then the workload might be distributed differently, affecting their average hours worked. Conversely, "Hospital Staff" is categorized as the independent variable because it is the factor that is manipulated or varied in the study or graph. The changes in the number of hospital staff will help to assess how it impacts the average hours worked per week. This relationship where one variable depends on another is fundamental to understanding relationships in data representation. The other options incorrectly assign the dependent and independent variables, which leads to a misunderstanding of the relationship portrayed in the graph. Understanding these roles clarifies how to interpret data effectively.