Question

dependent variables (the data you are collecting)
a dependent variable is the variable that changes in response to the changes in its independent variable. the dependent variable is the effect, output, or what happens during experiment.

control/constant variables (what stays the same)
a control/constant variable is the variable that is constant and unchanged throughout the cour of the investigation

application of independent and dependent variables
here are some practice problems to check for understanding of independent and dependent variables. read the problems and identify the independent and dependent variable in each:

1. the higher the temperature of the water, the faster the egg will boil.

a. independent variable (iv): temperature
b. dependent variable (dv): egg
c. control/constant variable (cv): how much water, the type of egg

1. the score on the final test depends on the number of skills attained.

a. iv: skills
b. dv: score
c. cv: same test

1. students of different age groups were asked to put the same jigsaw puzzle together, they were timed to see how long it took.

a. iv: age group
b. dv: the time it took to put the puzzle together
c. cv: jigsaw puzzle

Explanation:

Problem 1

• Independent Variable (IV): The variable that is manipulated. Here, temperature is what's changed to observe its effect on egg boiling speed. So "Temperature" is correct.
• Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that responds to the IV. The speed of egg boiling (implied by "how fast the egg will boil") is the response, but the option given is "Egg" which is less accurate, but following the provided options, this is the given DV.
• Control/Constant Variable (CV): Variables kept the same. The amount of water and type of egg are kept constant to ensure a fair test, so these are correct CVs.

• IV: The variable causing change. The number of skills attained is what's thought to affect the test score, so "Skills" (representing number of skills) is correct.
• DV: The variable affected. The test score depends on skills, so "Score" is correct.
• CV: The test is kept the same for all, so "same test" is a constant variable.

• IV: The variable being tested (different age groups). So "Age Group" is the IV.
• DV: The variable measured (time to complete the puzzle). So "the time it took to put the puzzle together" is correct.
• CV: The puzzle is the same for all to ensure fairness, so "jigsaw puzzle" is a constant variable.

Answer:

a. Independent Variable (IV): Temperature
b. Dependent Variable (DV): Egg
c. Control/Constant Variable (CV): how much water, the type of egg

Problem 2