Indentifying Variables

Identifying Variables

A science experiment has three kinds of variables.

• Independent variable – The factor that changes in an experiment

• Dependent variable – What is being measured in an experiment

• Control variable – The factor that remains constant in an experiment

Identify the three variables in the following scenarios

Two groups of fifth graders were tested to compare their speed solving long
division problems. One group had calculators, the other didn’t.

What is the dependent variable?  The speed of what they have made
____________________________________________________________
What is the independent variable? One group has calculators and the other
group dosen’t _________________________________________________
What is the control variable? There the same age

Students of different grades were given the same jigsaw puzzle to assemble.
The time they took to assemble it was measured.

What is the dependent variable? Jigsaw puzzle ____________________________________________________________
What is the independent variable? Students of different grades ____________________________________________________________
What is the control variable? They took time to assemble