Understanding Independent and Dependent Variables

In the example of shipping a box, what is a dependent variable?

• The time of day the box is shipped.

• The weight of the box.

• The location where the box was made.

• The color of the box.

What is one factor that affects the weight of a box?

• The time of day it is shipped.

• The material the box is made of.

• Where the box was made.

• The color of the box.

Besides its dimensions, what else affects the weight of a box?

• The day of the week it is shipped.

• The type of tape used to seal it.

• The contents inside the box.

• The person who packed the box.

Which of these factors does NOT affect the weight of a box?

• The dimensions of the box.

• The material of the box.

• The time of day it is shipped.

• The contents inside the box.

How does the size of a box affect its weight?

• A bigger box is always lighter.

• A bigger box can hold more, making it potentially heavier.

• The size of the box does not affect its weight.

• A smaller box is always more expensive to ship.

The time it takes to travel to school depends on how fast you walk. What is the dependent variable in this situation?

• The time it takes to travel to school.

• How fast you walk.

• The distance to school.

• The weather.

What is a dependent variable?

• A variable that changes in response to another variable.

• A variable that causes another variable to change.

• A variable that stays the same.

• A variable that is always a number.

An orchard sells apples. The amount of money earned (M) depends on the pounds of apples sold (P). Which variable is the independent variable?

• P (pounds of apples sold)

• M (money earned)

• Both M and P

• Neither M nor P

A baker uses cups of batter (b) to make pancakes (p). Which variable is the dependent variable?

• The number of pancakes (p)

• The number of cups of batter (b)

• Both p and b

• Neither p nor b

A baker uses cups of batter (b) to make pancakes (p). If the baker doubles the number of cups of batter (b), what happens to the number of pancakes (p)?

• The number of pancakes (p) stays the same.

• The number of pancakes (p) is cut in half.

• The number of pancakes (p) doubles.

• The number of pancakes (p) triples.