Question

procedure
part a: identifying variables
read the following hypotheses and identify the variables.

1. if the number of cigarettes smoked increases, then the risk for lung cancer increases.

o independent variable: _______
o dependent variable: _______

1. if the number of sharks swimming in a coastal region increases, then the number of shark attacks on humans will also increase.

o independent variable: _______
o dependent variable: _______

1. if the amount of milk a person drinks increases, the strength of his or her bones will stay the same.

o independent variable: _______
o dependent variable: _______

Explanation:

In a hypothesis, the independent variable is the factor that is changed or controlled, and the dependent variable is the factor that is measured and affected by the independent variable.

1. For the cigarette - lung cancer hypothesis, the number of cigarettes smoked is what is being changed, and the risk for lung cancer is what is being measured.
2. In the shark - attack hypothesis, the number of sharks swimming in a coastal region is the variable being changed, and the number of shark attacks on humans is the variable being measured.
3. For the milk - bone strength hypothesis, the amount of milk a person drinks is the variable being changed, and the strength of bones is the variable being measured.

Answer:

1. Independent variable: Number of cigarettes smoked

Dependent variable: Risk for lung cancer

1. Independent variable: Number of sharks swimming in a coastal region

Dependent variable: Number of shark attacks on humans

1. Independent variable: Amount of milk a person drinks

Dependent variable: Strength of his or her bones