Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
A variable is something that you can change, keep the same, or measure/observe in an investigation.
About Variables
- There are three types of variable.
- Independent Variable: The thing you choose to change in an investigation.
- Control Variables: The things you keep the same in an investigation to make it a fair test.
- Dependent Variable: The thing you measure or observe in an investigation.
- In an experiment or investigation there should only be 1 independent variable. If you change more than one thing at a time, it is not a fair test.
Examples
An investigation to test the claim: All leaves are green.
Oak Leaf | Beech Leaf | Ash Leaf |
Maple Leaf | Chestnut Leaf | Variables |
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Results Table | Variables |
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Experiment | Variables |
Cress seeds were put in pots with soil with half placed in a dark cupboard and half on a windowsill. |
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Key Stage 3
Meaning
A variable is anything which could affect the results of an experiment or that you can change, keep the same, or measure/observe in an investigation.
About Variables
- There are three groups of variable in an experiment:
- Independent Variable: The thing you choose to change in an investigation.
- Control Variables: The things you keep the same in an investigation to make it a fair test.
- Dependent Variable: The thing you measure or observe in an investigation.
- In an experiment or investigation there should only be 1 independent variable. If you change more than one thing at a time, it is not a fair test.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A variable is anything which could affect the results of an experiment or that you can change, keep the same, or measure/observe in an investigation.
About Variables
- There are three groups of variable in an experiment:
- Independent Variable: The thing you choose to change in an investigation.
- Control Variables: The things you keep the same in an investigation to make it a fair test.
- Dependent Variable: The thing you measure or observe in an investigation.
- In an experiment or investigation there should only be 1 independent variable. If you change more than one thing at a time, it is not a fair test.
- There are three different types of variable which can be recorded in an experiment:
- Categoric Variable - A variable that changes by category, not by numerical values (eg eye colour, blood type, type of animal.)
- Discrete Variable - A variable which can only be specific values with no numbers in between (eg shoe size, number of people, number of atoms).
- Continuous Variable - A variable which has any possible value (eg height, time, temperature, current).