Dependent and Independent Variables Explained Mr. Bushey
You’re right! It Depends… 2 + ____ =__?__ What does this problem equal?
Did you know that if you can add 1+1 then you can learn today’s lesson about variables? Ok…here it goes! 1+1=2 So, I guess you’re ready!
2+2=4 2+4=6 2+50=52
2+2=4 2+4=6 2+50=52 In every example, we changed one number… …and it affected the answer! Therefore, the answer depended on the number we changed!
Simple, but try it! 10+__=__ Fill in the above problems to make 3 true math sentences.
Variables are used in Math and Science! A variable is… something that can be changed. In our math problems, the numbers we changed were called variables. 2+2=4 A constant is… something that does not change. In our math problems, the number we decided not to change could be called a constant.
In math problems we use independent and dependent variables! 2+2=4 Constant (It stayed the same) Independent variable (The one number we changed) Dependent variable (The number that depended on the independent variable)
PRACTICE 1
Circle the right option whether if it is Constant (C) Dependent (D) or Independent (I) Variable ? =___C D I 2. ? + 4=____C D I 3. 5? + ___ =__C D I 4. 6 x ___= ?C D I 5. 4 – 3?= ___C D I ? =___C D I ___=__?__C D I ___=__?__ C D I 9.? x 9 =____C D I 10.8? + ___=____C D I
PRACTICE 2
Activity DEPENDENTINDEPENDENT Classify the following statements into dependent and independent variables.
Statements How far you can drive //The amount of gas you have The number of assignments you turned in // Your math grade How much money you earn // The hours you work How many miles you went over the speed limit // Cost of a speeding ticket How fast you drive // Time it takes to drive somewhere Who scores more points // Result of a football game Temperature //How much air conditioning you use Total calories and fat // Number of cookies How much education you have // Opportunities for high- paying jobs Time for watching TV// Homework assigned.