Independent & Dependent Variables

Identify independent and dependent variables in science experiments. Great for middle schoolers!

Fill in the blanks with the correct terms. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated. On a graph, this is placed on the X axis. On a table, the independent variable represents the input. The dependent variable depends on the independent variable. On a graph, it is placed on the Y axis. The dependent variable represents the output in a table. In simple terms, the independent variable is the cause, and the dependent variable is the effect. A freight train moves at a constant speed. The distance y in miles that the train has traveled after x hours is shown in the table. Which answer choice is describes the variables correctly?Time in hours (x)0123Distance in miles (y)04590135 Independent variable is Time in hours; Dependent variable is Distance in miles Independent variables Distance in miles; Dependent variable is Time in hours Neither is correct. The Distance traveled in miles versus Cab fare in dollars is shown in the table below. Which answer choice is describes the variables correctly?Distance in Miles (x)0123Cab Fare in Dollars (y)10121416 Independent variable is Cab fare in dollars; Dependent variable Distance traveled in miles Independent variable is Distance traveled in miles; Dependent variable is Cab fare in dollars. Neither is correct. What are the independent and dependent variables? Independent Variable: Minutes Used Per MonthDependent Variable: Cost In Dollars What are the independent and dependent variables? Independent Variable: MinutesDependent Variable: Pages Read On a graph, which axis shows the independent variable? y-axis It changes x-axis On a graph, which axis shows the dependent variable? y-axis x-axis It changes Independent Input x-axis variable that is manipulated Dependent output y-axis depends on the other variable Matching Match the independent variable to it's dependent variable. Amount of caffeine Heart rate The number of completed assignments you turn in Your science grade Depth of a lake Amount of light penetrating to the bottom Amount of food eaten Weight gained Time spent in the sunlight Plant growth Watch the video "Ants Can Count," then do your best to answer the following questions. In this experiment, the scientists wanted to know just how ants navigated to and from objects. Some people believed that they lay down trails of scent. But the problem in the desert is that the trails might blow away. To test the counting hypothesis, the scientists modified the legs of the ants. For the control group, they left the legs alone.For one experimental group of ants (#2), they attached the bristles of a pig to each leg. This made the stride length of the ant longer; thus the steps would take them farther from the anthill. For another experimental group (#3), they shortened the legs of the ants. This made the stride length of the ant shorter; thus the steps would leave the ants short of their anthill. Amazingly, the ants with the modified legs adapted to their new stride length overnight and were able to navigate to and from the anthill just like the regular ants. This gave credit to the hypothesis that ants have a pedometer in their heads--or that Ants Can Count!