As the number of credit hours a student takes in a semester increases, the amount of tuition, the amount of access fees, and the number of student loans available also increase. Which of the following is the independent variable?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the number of credit hours. In this scenario, the number of credit hours is the independent variable because it is the factor that is intentionally changed or manipulated. The amount of tuition, access fees, and student loans are dependent variables as they are influenced by the number of credit hours a student takes. The number of credit hours drives the changes in the other factors, making it the independent variable.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To solve for x, first, isolate x by moving the term involving x to one side of the equation. Begin by adding z to both sides of the equation to get (x/y) = rw + z. Then, multiply both sides by y to get x = y(rw + z), which simplifies to x = y(z + rw). Therefore, choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correctly rearrange the terms in the equation to solve for x.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct expression for the sum of three times a number and eight times a different number is given by 3x + 8y. This represents adding three times the variable x (3x) to eight times the variable y (8y). Choice B (8x + 3x) is incorrect as it represents adding eight times x to three times x, which is redundant. Choice C (3x - 8y) is incorrect because it represents subtracting eight times y from three times x, not their sum. Choice D (8x - 3y) is also incorrect as it represents subtracting three times y from eight times x, not their sum.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To find the area of a square, you square the length of one side. In this case, the side length is 3.1m. So, Area = side² = 3.1m 3.1m = 9.61m². Therefore, the correct answer is 9.61m². Choice A (12.4m²) is incorrect as it is the result of multiplying 3.1m by 4 instead of squaring it. Choice C (6.2m²) is incorrect as it is half of the correct answer. Choice D (9.1m²) is incorrect as it is the result of squaring the wrong value (3.1²).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To correctly order the numbers from least to greatest, we start with the smallest number, which is -271.906, followed by -193.823, 145.884, and finally 235.971. Therefore, the correct order is -271.906, -193.823, 145.884, 235.971. Choice A is correct. Choice B is incorrect as it incorrectly places 235.971 before -193.823. Choice C is incorrect as it starts with the largest number, 145.884. Choice D is incorrect as it starts with -193.823, which is not the smallest number in the list.