1. The problem involves understanding the relationship between two variables: years since colonization (independent variable) and population (dependent variable). 2. In graphing relationships, the independent variable is placed on the x-axis because it is the input or cause. 3. The dependent variable is placed on the y-axis because it depends on the independent variable. 4. Here, "years since colonization" is the independent variable and should be on the x-axis. 5. "Population" is the dependent variable and should be on the y-axis. 6. This setup allows us to see how population changes over time since colonization.