University:
High School
Course:
High School Algebra
Academic year:

2021
Views:

90

Pages:

2
Author:

Kadin Anthony

DEPENDENT V. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES The two main variables in an experiment are the independent and dependent variable. An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.The dependent variable is 'dependent' on the independent variable. As the experimenter changes the independent variable, the effect on the dependent variables observed and recorded. For example, a scientist wants to see if the brightness of light has any effect on a moth being attracted to the light. The brightness of the light is controlled by the scientist. This would be the independent variable. How the moth reacts to the different light levels (distance to light source) would be the dependent variable. When results are plotted in graphs, the convention is to use the independent variable as the xaxis and the dependent variable as the y-axis. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE The independent variable is the condition that you change in an experiment. It is the variable you control. It is called independent because its value does not depend on and is not affected by the state of any other variable in the experiment. DEPENDENT VARIABLE The dependent variable is the condition that you measure in an experiment. You are assessing how it responds to a change in the independent variable, so you can think of it as depending on the independent variable. HOW TO TELL THE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLE APART If you are having a hard time identifying which variable is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable, remember the dependent variable is the one affected by a change in the independent variable. If you write out the variables in a sentence that shows cause and effect, the independent variable causes the effect on the dependent variable. If you have the variables in the wrong order, the sentence won't make sense. Independent variable causes an effect on the dependent variable. For example an experiment is designed to test the brightness of light on a moth’s attraction. The brightness of light affects a moth’s attraction to light. MAKES SENSE! A moth’s attraction to light affects the light’s brightness. HUH?? In the following scenarios, determine the independent and dependent variable.