i am never able to do these, their so confusing yet SO easy- please help!

Answer:
a) independent: area to be painted in sq ft
dependent: amount of paint needed in gallons
b) independent: amount of milligrams
dependent: amount of sleep
Step-by-step explanation:
Easy tip to remember that is almost always right:
Your X variable is always independent, and your Y variable is always dependent.
If you aren't given these variables, another thing you can do is ask for example, question a, ask yourself, "is the area you paint dependent on the amount of paint you need?" , or "is the amount of paint you need, dependent on how much your painting?"
Which variable depends on your other variable? Would help you find your dependent variable.
It makes sense that, the number of paint you need depends on how much sq ft you are painting.
Answer:
a) Independent variable: x (area to be painted)
Dependent variable: y (amount of paint needed)
b) Independent variable: x (amount of medication)
Dependent variable: y (amount of sleep)
Step-by-step explanation:
Independent variables are variables that do not depend on other variables to determine their values.
Dependent variables are variables that depend on other variables to determine their values.