What is a variable?

In this lesson we will learn about the three types of variables in scientific investigations.

What is a variable?

In this lesson we will learn about the three types of variables in scientific investigations.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Define a dependent, independent and control variable
  2. Know how to plan a 'fair test'
  3. Identify the variables in a range of experiments

Licence

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3 Questions

Q1.
Which variable do we observe or measure?
control variables
Correct answer: dependent variable
independent variable
Q2.
Which variable is the one you would change in an investigation?
control variables
dependent variable
Correct answer: independent variable
Q3.
Which variables do we need to keep the same, in order to make a scientific investigation a fair test? (The clue here is there are more than one of these variables!)
Correct answer: control variables
dependent variable
independent variable

Lesson appears in

UnitScience / Practical skills

Science