Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables in Life

1. Sarah is planting flowers in her garden. The number of flowers she plants depends on the size of the garden bed. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable?

• Independent variable: size of the garden bed; Dependent variable: number of flowers planted.

• Independent variable: garden location; Dependent variable: number of flowers planted.

• Independent variable: type of flowers; Dependent variable: size of the garden bed.

• Independent variable: number of flowers planted; Dependent variable: size of the garden bed.

2. A car rental company charges a flat fee plus a per-mile charge. If the total cost depends on the number of miles driven, what is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable?

• Independent variable: total cost; Dependent variable: miles driven.

• Independent variable: flat fee; Dependent variable: miles driven.

• Independent variable: total cost; Dependent variable: flat fee.

• Independent variable: miles driven; Dependent variable: total cost.

3. A student studies for a test. The more hours she studies, the higher her score tends to be. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this scenario.

• Independent variable: study materials; Dependent variable: test score.

• Independent variable: hours studied; Dependent variable: test score.

• Independent variable: test difficulty; Dependent variable: hours studied.

• Independent variable: test score; Dependent variable: hours studied.

4. A bakery sells cupcakes. The number of cupcakes sold depends on the number of customers that visit the bakery. What are the independent and dependent variables?

• Independent variable: time of day; Dependent variable: number of customers.

• Independent variable: number of customers; Dependent variable: number of cupcakes sold.

• Independent variable: bakery location; Dependent variable: number of cupcakes sold.

• Independent variable: number of cupcakes; Dependent variable: number of customers.

5. In a science experiment, the temperature of water is changed to see how it affects the time it takes for sugar to dissolve. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable?

• Independent variable: amount of sugar; Dependent variable: temperature of water.

• Independent variable: type of sugar; Dependent variable: time taken for sugar to dissolve.

• Independent variable: time taken for sugar to dissolve; Dependent variable: temperature of water.

• Independent variable: temperature of water; Dependent variable: time taken for sugar to dissolve.

6. A gym tracks how many hours members work out each week and how much weight they lose. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this situation.

• Independent variable: gym membership; Dependent variable: weight lost

• Independent variable: diet plan; Dependent variable: hours worked out

• Independent variable: weight lost; Dependent variable: hours worked out

• Independent variable: hours worked out; Dependent variable: weight lost

7. A farmer grows different amounts of corn based on the amount of fertilizer used. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable?

• Independent variable: amount of corn; Dependent variable: amount of fertilizer used.

• Independent variable: weather conditions; Dependent variable: amount of corn grown.

• Independent variable: amount of fertilizer; Dependent variable: amount of corn grown.

• Independent variable: type of corn; Dependent variable: amount of fertilizer used.

8. A teacher notices that students who read more books tend to have better grades. What are the independent and dependent variables in this observation?

• Independent variable: students' attendance; Dependent variable: reading habits.

• Independent variable: number of books read; Dependent variable: students' grades.

• Independent variable: students' grades; Dependent variable: number of books read.

• Independent variable: study time; Dependent variable: number of books read.

9. A store's sales increase as the number of advertisements they run increases. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this case.

• Independent variable: store location; Dependent variable: number of advertisements.

• Independent variable: number of advertisements; Dependent variable: store sales.

• Independent variable: store sales; Dependent variable: number of advertisements.

• Independent variable: advertising budget; Dependent variable: customer satisfaction.

10. A researcher studies how the amount of sleep affects students' performance on tests. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable?

• Independent variable: test difficulty; Dependent variable: amount of sleep.

• Independent variable: students' performance; Dependent variable: amount of sleep.

• Independent variable: study time; Dependent variable: students' performance on tests.

• Independent variable: amount of sleep; Dependent variable: students' performance on tests.