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*
→ This is what she measured (how much they grew).

- c. Control:
*The plant watered with just water*
→ Water is the standard or normal condition; it serves as a baseline for comparison.

> ✔ Note: The control group is the one without any experimental treatment (in this case, plain water), so we can compare other treatments to it.

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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*
→ He changed the fertilizer type.

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
*Growth of marigolds (or how well they grew)*
→ Measured outcome (e.g., height, health, bloom count).

- c. Control:
*The plant with no fertilizer*
→ This group has no treatment, allowing comparison to see if fertilizers actually help.

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3. Taylor’s Apple & Grades Experiment

Scenario: Taylor ate increasing numbers of apples over 4 days and recorded her science grades.

- a. Independent Variable (IV):
*Number of apples eaten per day*
→ She intentionally changed this.

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
*Science grades (or test scores)*
→ What was being observed/recorded.

- c. Control:
*Day 1 (no apples eaten)*
→ This is the baseline condition where no apples were consumed, serving as a control.

> 📌 Note: The "control" here is the first day when no apples were eaten — it's the starting point for comparison.

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4. CJ’s Music & Basketball Baskets Experiment

Scenario: CJ tested whether music affects basketball basket-making by playing no music, rap, or classical music.

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

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
*Number of baskets made in 10 minutes*

- c. Control:
*Day 1 (no music)*
→ This is the baseline condition where no music was played.

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5. Michael’s Kitchen Cleaner Experiment

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

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

- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
*Effectiveness of cleaning (how well the grape juice was removed)*
→ Could be judged by visibility, residue, etc.

- c. Control:
*Using just water*
→ Water is the baseline cleaning agent with no added chemicals.

- d. Constants:
- Amount of grape juice (5 mL)
- Type of surface (countertop)
- Method of application (sprayed and wiped)
- Type of paper towel used
- Wiping technique

> 🔍 Constants are factors kept the same across all trials so only the independent variable affects the result.

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✔ Final Answers:

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

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

#### 3. Taylor
- a. IV: Number of apples eaten per day
- b. DV: Science grades
- c. Control: Day 1 (no apples)

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

#### 5. Michael
- a. IV: Type of cleaner (Lysol, Clorox, Pinesol, water)
- b. DV: Effectiveness of cleaning (cleanliness of counter)
- c. Control: Water
- d. Constants: 5 mL grape juice, same countertop, same paper towel, same wiping method

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💡 Summary Tips:

- Independent Variable (IV): What you change.
- Dependent Variable (DV): What you measure.
- Control: The group that doesn’t receive the experimental treatment (baseline).
- Constants: Everything else that stays the same to ensure fair testing.

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!