An auto insurance company is concerned that body shop "A" charges more for repair work than body shop "B" charges. It plans to send a set of 20 cars to shop A and another set of 20 cars to shop B and obtain separate estimates for the repairs needed for each car. Are two samples independent samples or not?

(a) independent samples

(b) dependent samples

Answer: (a) independent samples

Step-by-step explanation:

In an experimental trial, the independent variable is the one which can be changed or manipulated according to the needs of the experiment. The affect of such manipulation is observed over the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the outcome of the experiment.

In the given situation, the number of car samples send to A and B separately are the independent samples whereas the estimates for repair for each car can be considered as dependent sample or variable.