Independent Dependent Variables

Maddie wants to determine if the weight of the dog determines the number of puppies in a litter. What is the dependent variable?

• type of dog

• number of puppies

Beth wants to know if increasing her exercise will decrease the time it takes her to run a mile. What is the independent variable?

• Distance

• amount of exercise

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

Changes in the _________ variable causes an effect or change in the _________ variable.

• independent; dependent

• dependent; independent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The more light bulb you add to a room, the brighter it will be. What is the dependent variable?

• Amount of lightbulbs

• How bright the room is

Answer explanation

The brightness of the room is the effect (dep var) of adding light bulbs (ind var).

The variable that is measured or observed.

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

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

• Type of fertilizer

• Size of sunflower

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Aaliyah wants to know how drinking milk affects how tall a a person grows. Which is the dependent variable?

• The height of a person

• Drinking milk

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Does the flavor of ice cream affect how fast the ice cream melts? The flavor of ice cream is the _______________

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

One plant is given sunlight every day. Another plant of the same type is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, the height of each plant is measured. What is the independent variable?

• The type of plant

• If a plant receives sunlight or not

• How tall the plants are

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1