Independent vs Dependent Variables

Steve wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. He applied three different kinds of fertilizer on three sunflowers, and observed the size of the sunflower after 2 weeks. The type of fertilizer is the...

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Steve wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. He applied three different kinds of fertilizer on three sunflowers, and observed the size of the sunflower after 2 weeks. The size of the sunflower is the...

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Molly investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. She compared the number of accidents that 16 year olds, 17 year olds, and 18 year olds each had in Birmingham over the last 5 years. The age of the student is the...

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-3

Molly investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. She compared the number of accidents that 16 year olds, 17 year olds, and 18 year olds each had in Birmingham over the last 5 years. The number of accidents is the...

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Sam wanted to know if the color of the chair you sat in when taking a test affected your test grade. For one class, he had students sit in red chairs, and for another he had them sit in blue chairs. What is the independent variable?

• Color or chair

• Grade on test

• Age of students

Sam wanted to know if the color of the chair you sat in when taking a test affected your test grade. For one class, he had students sit in red chairs, and for another he had them sit in blue chairs. What is the dependent variable?

• Color or chair

• Grade on test

• Age of students

Robert wanted to know if the type of phone you used gave you better or worse service. He made five phone calls on a Samsung, an iPhone, and a Motorola and compared the reception and call quality. What is the independent variable?

• Location of phone call

• Type of phone

• Reception and call quality

Robert wanted to know if the type of phone you used gave you better or worse service. He made five phone calls on a Samsung, an iPhone, and a Motorola and compared the reception and call quality. What is the dependent variable?

• Location of phone call

• Type of phone

• The reception and call quality

Sarah wanted to find out if the size of a car tire made it a smoother ride over bumps. She drove her car over the same bumpy road three times, with a different sized tire set each time, and observed how much water splashed out of a cup in her cupholder. What is the independent variable?

• Size of tire

• The amount of water that splashed out of the cup

• Type of car

Sarah wanted to find out if the size of a car tire made it a smoother ride over bumps. She drove her car over the same bumpy road three times, with a different sized tire set each time, and observed how much water splashed out of a cup in her cupholder. What is the dependent variable?

• Size of tire

• The amount of water that splashed out of the cup

• Type of car