Independent and Dependent Variables

Front

What is an independent variable?

Back

An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Front

What is a dependent variable?

Back

A dependent variable is the variable that is measured and affected in an experiment, depending on the independent variable.

Front

In the relationship between hours studied and test scores, which is the independent variable?

Back

The number of hours studied.

Front

In the relationship between the amount of water used and the water bill, which is the dependent variable?

Back

The price of the water bill.

Front

If you increase the amount of gas in a car, what happens to the number of miles it can drive?

Back

The number of miles it can drive (dependent variable) may increase.

Front

What is the relationship between the amount of fabric and the number of blankets made?

Back

The number of blankets made is dependent on the amount of fabric available.

Front

If the length of a lunch line increases, what happens to the waiting time?

Back

The waiting time (dependent variable) is likely to increase.

Front

What is an example of an independent variable in a cooking experiment?

Back

The temperature at which food is cooked.

Front

What is an example of a dependent variable in a gardening experiment?

Back

The height of the plants after a certain period.

Front

How do you identify the independent variable in a graph?

Back

The independent variable is usually plotted on the x-axis.