Independent and Dependent variables worksheet - Free Printable

Let's go through each item and identify the independent variable (I), dependent variable (D), and constants (C).

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Definitions:

- Independent Variable (I): The factor that is deliberately changed or manipulated in an experiment.
- Dependent Variable (D): The outcome that is measured or observed; it depends on the independent variable.
- Constants (C): Factors that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure a fair test.

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1. A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.

- I: Type of tire tread
- D: Braking distance
- C: Car model, speed, road conditions, driver, weight of car, brake condition

> *Explanation:* Tire tread type is what’s being changed. Braking distance is what’s being measured. Other factors must stay constant to isolate the effect of tire tread.

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2. The time it takes to run a mile depends on the person’s running speed.

- I: Running speed
- D: Time to run a mile
- C: Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, footwear, fitness level (if controlled)

> *Explanation:* Speed is varied; time is the result. Distance is fixed at one mile, so it's a constant.

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3. The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive.

- I: Amount of water
- D: Height of bean plants
- C: Type of plant, soil type, sunlight, temperature, pot size, seed quality

> *Explanation:* Water amount is manipulated; plant height is measured. Other growing conditions should be held constant.

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4. The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.

- I: Oven temperature
- D: Baking time (or how fast the cake bakes)
- C: Recipe (amount of ingredients), oven type, cake size, pan material

> *Explanation:* Temperature is changed; baking time is observed. Recipe and equipment are constants.

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5. Lemon trees receiving the most water produced the most lemons.

- I: Amount of water
- D: Number of lemons produced
- C: Type of lemon tree, sunlight, soil, fertilization, age of tree, pest control

> *Explanation:* Water is the manipulated variable; fruit yield is the response. Other growing conditions are assumed constant.

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6. An investigation found that more bushels of potatoes were produced when the soil was fertilized more.

- I: Amount of fertilizer
- D: Bushels of potatoes produced
- C: Soil type, planting depth, watering schedule, potato variety, sunlight, pests

> *Explanation:* Fertilizer amount is varied; crop yield is measured. Other factors are kept consistent.

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7. Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and found that the temperature varied.

- I: Depth of water
- D: Water temperature
- C: Location in lake, time of day, season, water source

> *Explanation:* Depth is what changes; temperature is recorded. Other environmental factors are assumed constant.

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8. The amount of pollution produced by cars was measured for cars using gasoline containing different amounts of lead.

- I: Amount of lead in gasoline
- D: Amount of pollution produced
- C: Car model, engine type, driving conditions, fuel efficiency, speed, distance driven

> *Explanation:* Lead content in fuel is changed; pollution output is measured. Vehicle and driving conditions are kept constant.

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9. Four groups of rats are first massed and then fed identical diets except for the amount of vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’ masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease.

- I: Amount of vitamin A in diet
- D: Change in rat mass (or final mass)
- C: Diet (except vitamin A), initial mass, environment, water intake, cage conditions, duration of experiment

> *Explanation:* Vitamin A level is varied; change in body mass is the outcome. All other aspects of care are kept the same.

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✔ Final Answers:

| Item | I (Independent) | D (Dependent) | C (Constants) |
|------|------------------|---------------|----------------|
| 1 | Type of tire tread | Braking distance | Car model, speed, road conditions, etc. |
| 2 | Running speed | Time to run a mile | Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, etc. |
| 3 | Amount of water | Height of bean plants | Plant type, soil, light, temperature, etc. |
| 4 | Oven temperature | Baking time | Recipe, oven type, cake size, etc. |
| 5 | Amount of water | Number of lemons | Tree type, sunlight, soil, etc. |
| 6 | Amount of fertilizer | Bushels of potatoes | Soil type, planting method, water, etc. |
| 7 | Depth of water | Water temperature | Location, time of day, season, etc. |
| 8 | Amount of lead in gasoline | Pollution produced | Car model, driving conditions, etc. |
| 9 | Amount of vitamin A | Change in rat mass | Diet (other than vitamin A), environment, etc. |

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