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🧩 6th grade math · Patterns & Algebra

Inputs and outputs in tables

In y = 3x, you choose x (independent) and y follows (dependent). To fill a table, put each x into the rule: when x = 4, y = 3 × 4 = 12.

Worked example

Here is the rule y = 4x. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 2?
xy142?312416
Answer: 8
Put x = 2 into the rule y = 4x: 4 × 2 = 8.

For grown-ups: Dependent and independent variables. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 6.EE.C.9
What this practises, for teachers

Practices dependent and independent variables (6.EE.C.9). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. Here is the rule y = x + 1. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 4?
    xy1223344?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 5
    Put x = 4 into the rule y = x + 1: 4 + 1 = 5.
  2. Here is the rule y = 2x. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 3?
    xy12243?48
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 6
    Put x = 3 into the rule y = 2x: 2 × 3 = 6.
  3. A tap fills 4 liters each minute. The water w in liters after m minutes is w = 4m. Fill in the table. What is w when m is 5?
    mw14283127285?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 20
    Put m = 5 into the rule w = 4m: 4 × 5 = 20.

Before and after

Learn first: One-step equations (6th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Inputs and outputs in tables (6th grade)

  1. A cyclist rides at 2 miles per hour. The distance d in miles after t hours is d = 2t. Which variable is the dependent variable?
  2. A cyclist rides at 2 miles per hour. The distance d in miles after t hours is d = 2t. Which variable is the dependent variable?
  3. Here is the rule y = 6x. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 4?
    xy162123184?
  4. A cyclist rides at 5 miles per hour. The distance d in miles after t hours is d = 5t. Which variable is the dependent variable?
  5. A tap fills 8 liters each minute. The water w in liters after m minutes is w = 8m. Which variable is the dependent variable?
  6. Here is the rule y = x + 2. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 4?
    xy1324354?
  7. A tap fills 9 liters each minute. The water w in liters after m minutes is w = 9m. Which variable is the independent variable?
  8. A worker earns $3 an hour. The pay p in dollars after h hours is p = 3h. Fill in the table. What is p when h is 4?
    hp13265154?
  9. A worker earns $4 an hour. The pay p in dollars after h hours is p = 4h. Fill in the table. What is p when h is 3?
    hp143123?416
  10. Here is the rule y = 5x + 4. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 2?
    xy192?529424
  11. Here is the rule y = 6x. Fill in the table. What is y when x is 5?
    xy162123184245?
  12. Notebooks cost $6 each. The cost c in dollars of n notebooks is c = 6n. Which variable is the independent variable?

Answer key

  1. d
  2. d
  3. 24
  4. d
  5. w
  6. 6
  7. m
  8. 12
  9. 12
  10. 14
  11. 30
  12. n

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