An associated independent and dependent variable are most commonly graphed as a:

The choice of a scatter plot with the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis is the preferred method for visualizing the relationship between two variables. This setup allows for clear interpretation of how changes in the independent variable influence the dependent variable. By using the x-axis for the independent variable, it positions the data points in such a way that trends can be easily identified, whether they indicate a positive, negative, or no correlation.

In this format, each point on the graph represents an observation, where the position indicates its corresponding values for both variables. This is particularly effective for assessing the strength and direction of relationships between the variables, as well as identifying any potential outliers.

The other options do not effectively serve this purpose. For instance, a line graph with both variables on the y-axis and time on the x-axis is unsuitable for representing independent and dependent variables when the relationship is not temporal. Pie charts, which show proportions of a whole, do not convey the necessary information on relationships and are more suited for categorical data rather than continuous variable analysis. Lastly, having the independent variable on the y-axis in a scatter plot reverses the conventional understanding of the relationship, making it less intuitive for analysis.