Dependent Variables
Define Dependent Variables
Variables that are changed by the independent variable changing
Define Constants
Constants are variables that are kept the same in the experiment
Define independent variables
Variables that are changed on purpose in an experiment
Which variable is on the x axis?
Independent variable
I am running an experiment to discover which dish soap is the best for cleaning dirty pans. I test three different soap brands. What is the dependent variable?
The cleanliness of the pans
How many constants can you have in an experiment?
As many as you need/can have
I am running an experiment to discover which dish soap is the best for cleaning dirty pans. I test three different soap brands. What is the independent variable?
Type of dish soap I use
Which variable is on the y axis?
Dependent variable
If I want to figure out whether adding more merits to a class increases participation, what is my dependent variable in the experiment?
Amount of student participation
I am running an experiment to discover which dish soap is the best for cleaning dirty pans. I test three different soap brands. What would some constants be?
Type of mess in the pan, material of pan, type of sponge/cleaning tool
I am running an experiment to find the effect of breakfast foods on my class performance. I eat cereal, oatmeal, eggs and no breakfast. What is the independent variable?
The different types of food I eat.
What does the abbreviation IV represent?
Independent variable
I want to see how fast ice freezes in a freezer at different temperatures. I put ice in a freezer at 30 degrees, 10 degrees, and -10 degrees. What is the dependent variable?
Amount of time it takes for water to freeze
I am running an experiment to find the effect of breakfast foods on my class performance. I eat cereal, oatmeal, eggs and no breakfast. What are some things that you would need to keep constant?
Amount of time studying, amount of sleep,
I want to see how fast ice freezes in a freezer at different temperatures. I put ice in a freezer at 30 degrees, 10 degrees, and -10 degrees. What is the independent variable?
Temperature of the freezer the ice is in
What does the abbreviation DV represent?
Dependent variable
I am testing the effect of amount of sleep on my quiz scores. I sleep for 6, 8 and 10 hours and record my quiz scores from the next day. What is the dependent variable?
My quiz scores
Why are constants important?
So that we can be sure of the effect of the independent variable on the experiment. Without constants, other things may change our experiment
I am testing the effect of amount of sleep on my quiz scores. I sleep for 6, 8 and 10 hours and record my quiz scores from the next day. What is the independent variable?
Amount of time spent sleeping
Do all graphs have a title?
Yes