Independent and Dependent

Variables

Continuous and Discrete Data

Correlation
In an Algebraic situation,
equation, table, or graph, the
variables (usually x and y) can
be classified as either
__________
independent or _________.
dependent
 Independent Variable
The independent variable is always located on the
x-axis
_________ of a graph.

The independent variable STANDS ALONE.

FIRST
The independent variable is what happens _______.

(The dependent variable is plotted on the Y axis)

The variable in a
function whose value is
subject to choice is the
independent variable.
The independent
variable affects the
value of the dependent
variable.
 Dependent Variable
The dependent variable is always located on the
_________
y-axis of a graph.

“y”
It is usually the _______ in a table or equation.

The dependent variable DEPENDS on the

independent variable
________________.
2nd
The dependent variable is what happens _______.
The dependent variable
is a function whose value
is determined by the
independent variable.
The dependent variable
is tested.
 Let’s Practice!
1. A student’s grade depends on how
much she studies.
Independent variable:__________
Time studying

Dependent variable:___________
grade
2. The height of a plant and the amount
you water it.
Independent variable: ___________
Amount watered

Dependent variable: _____________

height
3. The amount of money you make and the number of
hours you work.
Hours worked
Independent variable: _____________
Amount of money
Dependent variable:_____________
4. The number of sodas you buy and the total money
spent.
Number of sodas
Independent variable:______________
Total money
Dependent variable:_______________
5. The number of houses you can paint depends on
how much time you have.
Amount of time
Independent variable:______________
Dependent variable:_______________
Number of houses
 Continuous Data
Data that is continuous is data that _________
continuously
happens. You can usually tell that your data is
continuous if you are _________
measuring something (i.e.
time, distance, length, height, etc.). If your
data is continuous, then you will _________
connect the
points on your graph.
 Discrete Data
You can tell that your data is discrete if
you are ________________________
counting or measuring in whole numbers
(i.e. number of people, cars, or stories of a
building). If your data is discrete, then
you will _____________
NOT connect the points on
your graph.
• Independent variable, (GOES ON THE X AXIS)
causes a change in (Dependent Variable, GOES
ON THE Y AXIS) and it isn't possible that
(Dependent Variable) could cause a change in
(Independent Variable).
• For example:
• (Time Spent Studying, X AXIS) causes a change in
(Test Score, Y AXIS) and it isn't possible that (Test
Score) could cause a change in (Time Spent
Studying).
• We see that "Time Spent Studying" must be the
independent variable and "Test Score" must be the
dependent variable because the sentence doesn't
make sense the other way around.
 Let’s Practice
Look at the situations given in examples 1-5. Decide if the situation
would best be classified as either discrete or continuous data.

1. A student’s grade depends on how much she studies.

continuous
2. The height of a plant and the amount you water it.

continuous
3. The amount of money you make and the number of hours you work.

discrete
4. The number of sodas you buy and the total money spent.

discrete
5. The number of houses you can paint depends on how much time you
have.
continuous
 Example
Kadence collected data on the number of push-ups she
could do in 2 minutes. The table below shows her data.

Time (seconds) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120

Total # Push-ups 0 4 7 9 12 17 20 22 24 27 30 31 35

a. What is the independent variable? Time (seconds)

b. Is the data continuous or discrete? Discrete – counting push-ups
Correlation

• It is the relationship that

exists between two variables
(Independent and dependent).
Positive Correlation

y
• As one variable
increases, so
does the other.

x
 Example of positive
correlation…

The longer you exercise, the more

calories you burn.
*As exercise increases, calories burned increases

Can you think of one?

Negative Correlation:

• As one variable y
increases, the
other
decreases.

x
 Example of negative
correlation…

The longer the air conditioner is turned

on, the colder the temperature.
*As time increases, the temperature decreases

Can you think of one?

No Correlation:

• As one variable y
increases, you
cannot tell what
the other is
doing.
x
 Example of no correlation…

The number of students in the classroom

and the average height.
*As the number of students increases, you cannot
tell what the average height will do.

Can you think of one?

 Everything…
The amount of time you spend in an
airplane and the distance between your
departure and your destination.

1. What are the independent and dependent variables?

Independent: Distance Dependent: Time

2. Would this situation represent a discrete or continuous situation?

Continuous

3. What type of correlation is represented in this situation?

Negative correlation
 Everything again…
The number of times you dip a wick into
hot wax and the diameter of a
handmade candle

1. What are the independent and dependent variables?

Independent: The number of dips Dependent: diameter of candle

2. Would this situation represent a discrete or continuous situation?

Discrete

3. What type of correlation is represented in this situation?

Positive correlation