Dependent and Independent Variables Worksheet - NAME: DATE: V ... - Free Printable

Let's go through each experiment and identify the Independent Variable (IV), Dependent Variable (DV), Control, and Constants where applicable.

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1. Katiana’s Bean Experiment

Scenario: Katiana tested different liquids (Coca-Cola, lemonade, water) to see which helped beans grow best. She measured height after one week.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
Type of liquid used to water the beans
*(This is what she changed: Coca-Cola, lemonade, water)*

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
Height of the bean plants after one week
*(This is what was measured as a result of the liquid type)*

- c. Control:
The plant watered with just water
*(Water is the standard or baseline condition; it’s the "normal" way to water plants)*

> *Note:* Constants could include: amount of light, soil type, pot size, amount of liquid given, temperature, etc. (These were likely kept the same but not mentioned in the problem.)

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2. Trevor’s Marigold Fertilizer Experiment

Scenario: Trevor tested Miracle Grow, Scotts fertilizer, and no fertilizer on marigolds.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
Type of fertilizer used
*(Miracle Grow, Scotts, or none)*

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
Growth of the marigolds
*(Likely measured by height, number of flowers, etc. — implied by “worked best” for growing)*

- c. Control:
Plant with no fertilizer
*(This group serves as the baseline to compare against the fertilized plants)*

> *Constants:* Amount of sunlight, soil type, watering schedule, pot size, etc.

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3. Taylor’s Apple and Grades Experiment

Scenario: Taylor ate increasing numbers of apples over four days and recorded her science grades.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
Number of apples eaten per day
*(She deliberately changed this: 0, 1, 2, 3 apples)*

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
Grades on science work
*(This is what she measured to see if eating apples had an effect)*

- c. Control:
Day 1 (when she ate 0 apples)
*(This is the baseline condition with no apples, so we can compare performance with apple consumption)*

> *Note:* This experiment has limitations because other factors (like study time, difficulty of test) might affect grades, but within the design, Day 1 is the control.

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4. CJ’s Music and Basketball Experiment

Scenario: CJ tested whether music (rap, classical, none) affected how many baskets players made.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
Type of music played
*(No music, rap, classical)*

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
Number of baskets made in 10 minutes
*(What was measured to determine the effect of music)*

- c. Control:
Day one (no music)
*(This is the baseline condition without any music)*

> *Constants:* Same players, same basketball court, same time period (10 minutes), same ball, same rules, etc.

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5. Michael’s Kitchen Cleaner Experiment

Scenario: Michael tested Lysol, Clorox, Pinesol, and water to clean grape juice stains.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
Type of kitchen cleaner used
*(Lysol, Clorox, Pinesol, water)*

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
Effectiveness of cleaning (how well the grape juice was removed)
*(This is what was observed — e.g., stain removal, cleanliness rating)*

- c. Control:
Using just water
*(This is the baseline cleaning method — no chemical cleaner)*

- d. Constants:
- Amount of grape juice (5 milliliters)
- Type of surface (countertop)
- Method of application (sprayed, wiped with one paper towel)
- Amount of cleaner used (assumed equal unless stated otherwise)
- Wiping technique (same paper towel, same pressure, etc.)

> These constants ensure that only the type of cleaner affects the outcome.

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✔ Final Answers:

#### 1. Katiana’s Beans
- a. IV: Type of liquid (Coca-Cola, lemonade, water)
- b. DV: Height of bean plants
- c. Control: Water

#### 2. Trevor’s Marigolds
- a. IV: Type of fertilizer (Miracle Grow, Scotts, none)
- b. DV: Growth of marigolds
- c. Control: No fertilizer

#### 3. Taylor’s Apples
- a. IV: Number of apples eaten
- b. DV: Science grades
- c. Control: Day 1 (0 apples)

#### 4. CJ’s Music
- a. IV: Type of music (none, rap, classical)
- b. DV: Number of baskets made
- c. Control: No music

#### 5. Michael’s Cleaners
- a. IV: Type of cleaner (Lysol, Clorox, Pinesol, water)
- b. DV: Cleaning effectiveness (stain removal)
- c. Control: Water
- d. Constants: 5 mL grape juice, same surface, same wiping method, same amount of cleaner applied

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