Independent and Dependent Variables: Which Is
Which?
Independent and dependent variables are important for both math and science. If you don't understand
what these two variables are and how they differ, you'll struggle to analyze an experiment or plot
equations. Fortunately, we make learning these concepts easy!
In this guide, we break down what independent and dependent variables are, give examples of the
variables in actual experiments, explain how to properly graph them, provide a quiz to test your skills,
and discuss the one other important variable you need to know.
Science, Tech, Math › Science
Independent Variable Definition and Examples
Understand the Independent Variable in an Experiment
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In a science experiment, the independent variable is the one you intentionally change or control.
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byAnne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated January 09, 2019
The two main variables in a science experiment are the independent variable
and the dependent variable. Here's the definition on independent variable and
a look at how it's used:
Key Takeaways: Independent Variable
The independent variable is the factor that you purposely change or
control in order to see what effect it has.
The variable that responds to the change in the independent variable is
called the dependent variable. It depends on the independent variable.
The independent variable is graphed on the x-axis.
Independent Variable Definition
An independent variable is defines as the variable that is changed or
controlled in a scientific experiment. It represents the cause or reason for an
outcome.
Independent variables are the variables that the experimenter changes to test
their dependent variable. A change in the independent variable directly causes
a change in the dependent variable. The effect on the dependent variable is
measured and recorded.
Independent Variable Examples
A scientist is testing the effect of light and dark on the behavior of moths
by turning a light on and off. The independent variable is the amount of
light and the moth's reaction is the dependent variable.
In a study to determine the effect of temperature on plant pigmentation,
the independent variable (cause) is the temperature, while the amount
of pigment or color is the dependent variable (the effect).
Graphing the Independent Variable
When graphing data for an experiment, the independent variable is plotted on
the x-axis, while the dependent variable is recorded on the y-axis. An easy way
to keep the two variables straight is to use the acronym DRY MIX, which
stands for:
Dependent variable that Responds to change goes on the Y axis
Manipulated or Independent variable goes on the X axis
Sources
Dodge, Y. (2003). The Oxford Dictionary of Statistical Terms. OUP. ISBN 0-19-
920613-9.
Everitt, B. S. (2002). The Cambridge Dictionary of Statistics (2nd ed.).
Cambridge UP. ISBN 0-521-81099-X.
Gujarati, Damodar N.; Porter, Dawn C. (2009). "Terminology and
Notation". Basic Econometrics(5th international ed.). New York: McGraw-
Hill. p. 21. ISBN 978-007-127625-2.
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Article
Understand the Difference Between Independent and
Dependent Variables
What Are Independent and Dependent Variables?
Get examples of each and learn how to graph them
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ThoughtCo.
byAnne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated May 28, 2019
The independent variable and dependent variable are examined in
an experimentusing the scientific method, so it's important to know what they
are and how to use them. Here are the definitions for independent and
dependent variables, examples of each variable, and the explanation for how
to graph them.
Independent Variable
The independent variable is the condition that you change in an experiment. It
is the variable you control. It is called independent because its value does not
depend on and is not affected by the state of any other variable in the
experiment. Sometimes you may hear this variable called the "controlled
variable" because it is the one that is changed. Do not confuse it with a
"control variable," which is a variable that is purposely held constant so that it
can't affect the outcome of the experiment.
Dependent Variable
The dependent variable is the condition that you measure in an experiment.
You are assessing how it responds to a change in the independent variable, so
you can think of it as depending on the independent variable. Sometimes the
dependent variable is called the "responding variable."
Independent and Dependent Variable Examples
In a study to determine whether how long a student sleeps affects test
scores, the independent variable is the length of time spent sleeping
while the dependent variable is the test score.
You want to compare brands of paper towels, to see which holds the
most liquid. The independent variable in your experiment would be the
brand of paper towel. The dependent variable would be the amount of
liquid absorbed by a paper towel.
In an experiment to determine how far people can see into the infrared
part of the spectrum, the wavelength of light is the independent variable
and whether the light is observed (the response) is the dependent
variable.
If you want to know whether caffeine affects your appetite, the
presence/absence of the amount of caffeine would be the independent
variable. How hungry you are would be the dependent variable.
You want to determine whether a chemical is essential for rat nutrition,
so you design an experiment. The presence/absence of the chemical is
the independent variable. The health of the rat (whether it lives and can
reproduce) is the dependent variable. If you determine the substance is
necessary for proper nutrition, a follow-up experiment would be to
determine how much of the chemical is needed. Here, the amount of
chemical would be the independent variable and the rat health would be
the dependent variable.
How to Tell the Independent and Dependent Variable
Apart
If you are having a hard time identifying which variable is the independent
variable and which is the dependent variable, remember the dependent
variable is the one affected by a change in the independent variable. If you
write out the variables in a sentence that shows cause and effect, the
independent variable causes the effect on the dependent variable. If you have
the variables in the wrong order, the sentence won't make sense.
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Independent variable causes an effect on the dependent variable.
Example: How long you sleep (independent variable) affects your test score
(dependent variable).
This makes sense, but:
Example: Your test score affects how long you sleep.
This doesn't really make sense (unless you can't sleep because you are worried
you failed a test, but that would be a whole other experiment).
How to Plot Variables on a Graph
There is a standard method for graphing the independent and dependent
variable. The x-axis is the independent variable, while the y-axis is the
dependent variable. You can use the DRY MIX acronym to help remember
how to graph variables:
DRY MIX
D = dependent variable
R = responding variable
Y = graph on the vertical or y-axis
M = manipulated variable
I = independent variable
X = graph on the horizontal or x-axis
Test your understanding with the scientific method quiz.
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