Hypothesis A bivariate relationship is a relationship between two variables (an independent variable and a dependent variable).

In this case the number of hours a student watches television is the independent variable, and the overall mathematics proficiency test score of eighth grade students is the dependent variable. The number of hours a student watches television on the weekend has an effect on the overall mathematics proficiency test scores for eighth grade students. Students who watch over three hours of television on weekends will score lower on the overall mathematics proficiency test than students who watch three hours or less than three hours of television on weekends. The first control variable is the sex of the respondents (students) which is represented by a value of male or female. Sex influences the number of hours students watch television on weekends and students overall math proficiency test scores. Female respondents will watch more hours of television than male students. Therefore female students will score lower than male students on the math proficiency test.The second control variable consists of a global variable that indicates the percentage of students who qualify for the federal free lunch program. Students qualification for free lunch will influence the number of hours students watch television on weekends and their overall math proficiency test scores. Student who qualify for free lunch will score lower on the math proficiency score than students who do not qualify for free lunch.