Astudent drops a piece of paper and records the time for the paper to hit the floor. the student then folds the paper in half and repeats the process. the student does this four more times, each time, folding the paper in half. the student always drops the paper from the same height. the independent variable is the:

In the given case, the independent variable is the continuous folding of paper into half.

Explanation:

A variable, which is considered to influence the dependent variable is known as an independent variable. An independent variable is a variable on which the researcher imparts certain modifications to observe that if it leads to certain changes in the dependent variable.  

Thus, the difference between the independent and the dependent variable is that the independent variable is monitored by the experimenter, while the dependent variable's values seem to get change in response towards the independent variable.  

In the given test, the continuous folding of the paper is the independent variable as it leads to change in the time of the paper hitting the floor.  

a:

by the combination of an unlimited number of elements

i don't see a text, but i am gonna assume this *orbit* the curved path, usually elliptical, described by a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., around a celestial body, as the sun.