Independent & Dependent Variables Practice - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice
Let's analyze each scenario in the table to identify the independent variable (the factor that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter) and the dependent variable (the outcome that is measured or observed).
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A cow is given a growth hormone and then compared to another cow that was not given a growth hormone. Both cows were weighed at 2 years.
- Independent Variable: Whether the cow received a growth hormone (yes/no).
- Dependent Variable: The weight of the cow at 2 years.
✔ *Explanation*: The researcher manipulates whether the hormone is given (independent), and measures the resulting weight (dependent).
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Mosquito repellent is sprayed on one arm and the other arm is not sprayed. The number of mosquito bites is counted after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Application of mosquito repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed).
- Dependent Variable: Number of mosquito bites.
✔ *Explanation*: The treatment (repellent) is controlled, and the outcome (bites) is measured.
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One group is placed in tap water and another group is placed in salt water. The change in their mass is measured after 1 day.
- Independent Variable: Type of water (tap water vs. salt water).
- Dependent Variable: Change in mass.
✔ *Explanation*: The type of water is manipulated; the resulting mass change is observed.
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Two identical cars are traveling at 60 mph. At a certain point, both cars turn on their brakes. The distance it takes for each car to stop is measured.
- Independent Variable: Braking action (turning on brakes).
- Dependent Variable: Distance it takes to stop.
⚠️ But wait — both cars are doing the same thing (braking). So what’s being tested?
Actually, this scenario seems to compare two identical cars under the same conditions, so unless there’s a difference in braking systems, nothing is varied.
But if we assume the only difference is something like brake type (e.g., one has standard brakes, one has upgraded), then:
👉 Likely intended meaning: The type of brakes is the independent variable.
But as written, it says "both cars turn on their brakes" — implying no manipulation.
So unless more context is given, the independent variable might be missing.
But assuming the scenario is meant to compare different braking systems:
- Independent Variable: Type of braking system.
- Dependent Variable: Stopping distance.
✔ *Assuming variation in brakes*, otherwise this scenario lacks a clear independent variable.
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Pillbugs are placed in a container where they have a choice of a wet or a dry environment. Researchers record how much time was spent on each side.
- Independent Variable: Environmental condition (wet vs. dry).
- Dependent Variable: Time spent on each side.
✔ *Explanation*: The environment is manipulated (wet/dry), and behavior (time spent) is recorded.
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A stapler is used to staple 100 papers. It jams 5 times during the trial. A different brand of stapler performs the same task. It jams 22 times.
- Independent Variable: Brand of stapler.
- Dependent Variable: Number of jams.
✔ *Explanation*: The stapler brand is changed (manipulated), and the number of jams (outcome) is measured.
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Cockroaches are exposed to a pesticide. After 3 hours, 95% of the insects are dead.
- Independent Variable: Exposure to pesticide (yes/no or dose level).
- Dependent Variable: Percentage of cockroaches dead.
✔ *Explanation*: Pesticide exposure is the treatment, and mortality rate is the result.
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| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------|
| 1 | Administration of growth hormone | Weight of the cow at 2 years |
| 2 | Application of mosquito repellent | Number of mosquito bites |
| 3 | Type of water (tap vs. salt) | Change in mass |
| 4 | Type of braking system (assumed) | Distance to stop |
| 5 | Environment (wet vs. dry) | Time spent on each side |
| 6 | Brand of stapler | Number of jams |
| 7 | Exposure to pesticide | Percentage of cockroaches dead |
> ⚠️ Note: Scenario 4 is ambiguous without specifying differences between the cars. If both cars are identical and treated the same, there is no independent variable. But likely, the intent is to compare different brake types.
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Let me know if you'd like this formatted into a printable table!
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🔹 Scenario 1:
A cow is given a growth hormone and then compared to another cow that was not given a growth hormone. Both cows were weighed at 2 years.
- Independent Variable: Whether the cow received a growth hormone (yes/no).
- Dependent Variable: The weight of the cow at 2 years.
✔ *Explanation*: The researcher manipulates whether the hormone is given (independent), and measures the resulting weight (dependent).
---
🔹 Scenario 2:
Mosquito repellent is sprayed on one arm and the other arm is not sprayed. The number of mosquito bites is counted after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Application of mosquito repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed).
- Dependent Variable: Number of mosquito bites.
✔ *Explanation*: The treatment (repellent) is controlled, and the outcome (bites) is measured.
---
🔹 Scenario 3:
One group is placed in tap water and another group is placed in salt water. The change in their mass is measured after 1 day.
- Independent Variable: Type of water (tap water vs. salt water).
- Dependent Variable: Change in mass.
✔ *Explanation*: The type of water is manipulated; the resulting mass change is observed.
---
🔹 Scenario 4:
Two identical cars are traveling at 60 mph. At a certain point, both cars turn on their brakes. The distance it takes for each car to stop is measured.
- Independent Variable: Braking action (turning on brakes).
- Dependent Variable: Distance it takes to stop.
⚠️ But wait — both cars are doing the same thing (braking). So what’s being tested?
Actually, this scenario seems to compare two identical cars under the same conditions, so unless there’s a difference in braking systems, nothing is varied.
But if we assume the only difference is something like brake type (e.g., one has standard brakes, one has upgraded), then:
👉 Likely intended meaning: The type of brakes is the independent variable.
But as written, it says "both cars turn on their brakes" — implying no manipulation.
So unless more context is given, the independent variable might be missing.
But assuming the scenario is meant to compare different braking systems:
- Independent Variable: Type of braking system.
- Dependent Variable: Stopping distance.
✔ *Assuming variation in brakes*, otherwise this scenario lacks a clear independent variable.
---
🔹 Scenario 5:
Pillbugs are placed in a container where they have a choice of a wet or a dry environment. Researchers record how much time was spent on each side.
- Independent Variable: Environmental condition (wet vs. dry).
- Dependent Variable: Time spent on each side.
✔ *Explanation*: The environment is manipulated (wet/dry), and behavior (time spent) is recorded.
---
🔹 Scenario 6:
A stapler is used to staple 100 papers. It jams 5 times during the trial. A different brand of stapler performs the same task. It jams 22 times.
- Independent Variable: Brand of stapler.
- Dependent Variable: Number of jams.
✔ *Explanation*: The stapler brand is changed (manipulated), and the number of jams (outcome) is measured.
---
🔹 Scenario 7:
Cockroaches are exposed to a pesticide. After 3 hours, 95% of the insects are dead.
- Independent Variable: Exposure to pesticide (yes/no or dose level).
- Dependent Variable: Percentage of cockroaches dead.
✔ *Explanation*: Pesticide exposure is the treatment, and mortality rate is the result.
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✔ Final Answer Table:
| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------|
| 1 | Administration of growth hormone | Weight of the cow at 2 years |
| 2 | Application of mosquito repellent | Number of mosquito bites |
| 3 | Type of water (tap vs. salt) | Change in mass |
| 4 | Type of braking system (assumed) | Distance to stop |
| 5 | Environment (wet vs. dry) | Time spent on each side |
| 6 | Brand of stapler | Number of jams |
| 7 | Exposure to pesticide | Percentage of cockroaches dead |
> ⚠️ Note: Scenario 4 is ambiguous without specifying differences between the cars. If both cars are identical and treated the same, there is no independent variable. But likely, the intent is to compare different brake types.
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Let me know if you'd like this formatted into a printable table!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of independent and dependent variables worksheet science.
