Types of Variables

A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car. 
What is the independent variable (what is changed)?

• Tire tread
• Car
• Braking distance
• Duck sauce

The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive.
What is the independent variable?

• Height of plants
• Condition of soil
• Salt or fresh water
• Amount of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.
What is the independent variable?

• Time to bake a cake
• Type of cake
• Place in the oven
• Temperature of the oven

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and found that the temperature varied.
What is the independent variable?

• Lake location
• Depth of the measurement
• Temperature of the water
• Measuring device

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Four groups of rats are first massed and then fed identical diets except for the amount of vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’ masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease
What is the independent variable?

• Food they received
• Type of vitamin
• Amount of Vitamin A
• Rats masses

Lemon trees receiving the most water produced the most lemons.
What is the dependent variable (what is measured)?

• Amount of lemons
• Salt or fresh water
• Amount of water
• Type of citrus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

An investigation found that more bushels of potatoes were produced when the soil was fertilized more.
What is the dependent variable?

• Type of fertiliser
• Bushels of potatoes produced
• Who fertilised the potatoes
• Where they were growing

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The time it takes to run a kilometre in a sweet ParkRun depends on the person’s running speed.
What is the dependent variable?

• Type of race
• Time to run a KM
• Persons running speed
• Location of ParkRun

A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. As each paper clip was added, the plane was tested to determine how far it would fly.
The independent and dependent variables are? (in correct order)

• Mass of plane, distance it flew
• Type of plane, paperclips
• Distance it flew, mass of plane
• Mass of plane, amount of paperclips

Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculators. 
The independent and dependent variables are? (in correct order)

• Type of problems, use of calculator
• Use of calculator, speed of completion
• Group, speed of completion
• Speed of completion, intelligence of student