1. The problem is to explain the difference between dependent and independent values. 2. An independent variable is the variable that you can control or choose freely in an experiment or function. It is not affected by other variables. 3. A dependent variable changes in response to the independent variable. Its value depends on the independent variable. 4. For example, in the function $y = 2x + 3$, $x$ is the independent variable because you can pick any value for $x$. 5. The value of $y$ depends on $x$, so $y$ is the dependent variable. 6. In summary, independent values are inputs or causes, and dependent values are outputs or effects.