Answer:
Independent variable: p (the number of people in line ahead of Tessa and Gary)
Dependent variable: w (the length of time Tessa and Gary will need to wait)
Explanation:
w = the length of time Tessa and Gary will need to wait.
p = the number of people in line ahead of Tessa and Gary.
In this context, the number of people in line ahead of Tessa and Gary (p) is the independent variable. It's independent because it's something you can control or measure independently of the waiting time. The number of people in line ahead of them determines how many people they have to wait for before their turn comes.
The length of time Tessa and Gary will need to wait (w) is the dependent variable. It depends on the independent variable, which is the number of people in line ahead of them. The more people there are in line ahead of them, the longer they will have to wait.