Answer:
Dependent variable: Amount of oranges ([tex]y[/tex]), measured in pounds.
Independent variable: Money ([tex]x[/tex]), measured in US dollars.
Equation: [tex]y = 1.15\cdot x[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the statement, Maria pays money to buy oranges at the grocery and there is a direct proportionality between money ([tex]x[/tex]), measured in US dollars, and the amount of oranges ([tex]y[/tex]), measured in pounds. That is:
[tex]y \propto x[/tex]
[tex]y = k\cdot x[/tex]
Where [tex]k[/tex] is the proportionality constant, measured in US dollars per pound.
The dependent variable is the amount of oranges ([tex]y[/tex]), whereas money ([tex]x[/tex]) represents the independent variable. If we know that [tex]k = 1.15\,\frac{USD}{pd}[/tex], then the equation is:
[tex]y = 1.15\cdot x[/tex]
In a nutshell, the answer is:
Dependent variable: Amount of oranges ([tex]y[/tex]), measured in pounds.
Independent variable: Money ([tex]x[/tex]), measured in US dollars.
Equation: [tex]y = 1.15\cdot x[/tex]