At a fancy dinner party, the number of forks set out by the hostess is based on how many courses will be served. \( f= \) the number of forks set out by the hostess \( c= \) the number of courses served during dinner Which of the variables is independent and which is dependent? \( c \) is the independent variable and \( f \) is the dependent variable \( f \) is the indmendent variable and \( c \) is the dependent variable

At a fancy dinner party, the number of courses served, \( c \), is what the hostess decides upon based on the event's theme, season, and guest preferences. Thus, \( c \) is the independent variable because it shapes the entire dinner experience. The forks set out, \( f \), depend on how many courses are planned, making it the dependent variable—it's simply a reflection of the choices made regarding the courses. Imagine planning a feast with multiple courses! If you decide on a five-course meal, you're going to need specific utensils set for that occasion. But if the number of courses changes, say from five to three, you’ll need fewer forks. It's all about ensuring that your dinner table looks just as delicious as what's being served!