Dependent and Independent Variables

Question 1

What is an INDEPENDENT variable?

Answer 1

The INDEPENDENT variable is the thing you CHANGE.

Question 2

What is a DEPENDENT variable?

Answer 2

The DEPENDENT variable is the thing you OBSERVE.

Question 3

What is a CONTROL?

Answer 3

The CONTROL variable is the NORMAL OR STANDARD state of the observed situation.

Question 4

An entomologist (bug scientist) wants to determine if temperature changes how many times a cricket chirps. What is the DEPENDENT variable?

Answer 4

The amount of times a cricket chirps.

Question 5

Harvester ants often strip a bush of all of its leaves. Some people believe this helps the plant grow thicker, healthier stems. In an experiment, a student stripped off all the leaves from a set of plants. In a second set of identical plants, the student allowed ants to strip off the plants’ leaves. In order to improve this experimental design, it is most important to add a set of plants-

Answer 5

that still have their leaves (aka a control)

Question 6

A florist wants to see if Product X will extend the life of cut flowers so that they last longer. What is the DEPENDENT variable?

Answer 6

The life of cut flowers.

Question 7

You want to test a new drug that supposedly prevents sneezing in people allergic to grass. What is the INDEPENDENT variable?

Answer 7

The new drug