Independent and Dependent Variables

A(n) _____________ variable depends on or is changed by another variable.

• dependent
• independent

On a graph, which axis shows the dependent variable?

• x-axis
• y-axis
• neither
• it changes

Name the INDEPENDENT variable from the table below.

• words
• minutes

In the table, Bubbles is the ______________.

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Sarah is bringing treats to her elementary school class on her birthday. The number of treats she brings in is based on the number of students in her class.

t = the number of treats

s = the number of students

Which of the variables is INDEPENDENT?

• s

• t

Sarah is participating in a walkathon to raise money for local literacy programs. The amount of money Sarah will raise depends on the distance she walks.
m = the amount of money Sarah will raise
d = the distance Sarah walks
Which of the variables is dependent?

• m = The amount of money Sarah will raise
• d = the distance Sarah walks

Identify the independent variable:

The amount of money, m, earned if t raffle tickets are sold

• money, m

• tickets, t

The graph shows the distance traveled by Ms. Luce's family on a road trip. They will travel 25 miles each hour. Which statement is true about the situation?

• the independent variable is distance

• the independent variable is d=25 t

• the dependent variable is time

• the dependent variable is distance

Angelina set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. Identify the independent variable.

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball
• Who set up the experiment (Ms. S, etc)

Tiffany was investing how fast it took Hayden to react to different sounds. Identify the independent variable.

• How fast Hayden reacted
• different sounds
• types of music
• Hayden