Variables Review

Dependent Variable
 What is being tested or measured.
 Independent Variable
 What the Scientist is changing.
 How can I remember?
DEPENDENT VARIABLE depends on the
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
 Example 1
 The time it takes to run a mile depends on the
amount of daily exercise a person gets
 Answer
 D.V. – the time it takes to run a mile

 I.V. – the amount of exercise the person is

getting
 Example 2
 The higher the temperature of water, the faster
an egg will cook.
 Answer
 D.V. – the time it takes to boil the egg

 I.V. – the temperature of the water

 Example 3
 An investigation was conducted to see if
keeping the lights on for different amounts of
time each day affected the number of eggs
chickens laid.
 Answer
 D.V. – the number of eggs laid

 I.V. – the amount of time the light is left on

 Example 4
 The amount of pollution produced by cars was
measured using gasoline containing different
amounts of additive.
 Answer
 D.V. – the amount of pollution

 I.V. – the amount of additive in the gasoline

 Example 5
 Lemon trees receiving the most water produce
the largest lemons.
 Answer
 D.V. – the size of the lemons

 I.V.- the amount of water that the tree receives

 Example 6
 The amount of algae growth in a lake seems to
be directly related to the number of bags of
fertilizer sold by the local merchants.
 Answer
 D.V. – The amount of algae in the lake

 I.V. – the amount of fertilizer sold by the local

merchants
 Example 7
 Five groups of rats are fed identical diets
except for the amount of Vitamin A that they
receive. Each group gets a different amount.
After three weeks on the diet, the rats are
weighed to see if the amount of Vitamin A
received affected their mass.
 Answer
 D.V. – the mass of the rat

 I.V. – the amount of vitamin C that that the rat

receives each day.
 Example 8
 Will the number of nails picked up by a
magnet increase if the magnet is stronger?
 Answer
 D.V. – the number of nails that the magnet can
pick up

 I.V. - the strength of the magnet

 Example 9
 Students in science class conducted an
investigation in which a flashlight was pointed
at a screen. They wished to find out if the
distance from the light to the screen had any
affect on the size of the illuminated area.
 Answer
 D.V. – the size of the illuminated area

 I.V. – the distance from the screen

 Example 10
 The farther a ball is dropped, the higher it will
bounce.
 Answer
 D.V. – the height of the bounce

 I.V. – the height of the drop