Independent vs. Dependent Variables

This variable in an experiment is the one being deliberately changed by the scientist.

• dependent variable

• extraneous variable

• independent variable

• control group

Batman harvests mushrooms in the forests of Oregon and then sells them to local restaurant chefs. The greater the weight of the mushrooms, the greater their value.

w = the weight of the mushrooms

v = the value of the mushrooms

• v is the independent variable and w is the dependent variable

• w is the independent variable and v is the dependent variable

While on vacation, Wonder Woman plans to write some postcards to her friends. The number of postcards she can send depends on how many stamps she has.

p = the number of postcards Wonder Woman can send

s = the number of stamps Wonder Woman has

• p is the independent variable and s is the dependent

• s is the independent variable and p is the dependent

The students at Hillcrest High School are collecting food for a local food bank. The number of trucks needed to deliver the food to the food bank will depend on the amount of food collected.

t = the number of trucks needed to deliver the food

f = the amount of food collected

• t is the independent variable and f is the dependent variable

• f is the independent variable and t is the dependent variable

Aquaman wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. What is the independent variable

• Type of fertilizer

• Size of sunflower

• type of sun flower

Superman wanted to know if the color of the chair you sat in when taking a test affected your test grade. What is the independent variable.

• Color or chair

• Grade on test

• Age of students

Green Lantern investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. What is the dependent variable?

• Type of car

• Skill of driving

• Age of student

A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. The dependent variable is the _____.

• Diameter of the ball
• Force acting on the ball
• Height that the ball bounces
• Height from which the ball is dropped

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent
• Independent
• Control
• Compound

Iron man streams movies through a company that charges him a $1.50 per movie. What is the dependent variable?

• the number of movies he rents

• the company that he rents from

• the money it costs

• There isn't one