Statistics: Which Variable Goes on Which Axis in a Scientific Graph (DRY MIX) Practice
Use DRY MIX to identify dependent, responding, independent, and manipulated variables
Statistics: Which Variable Goes on Which Axis in a Scientific Graph (DRY MIX) Practice
Use DRY MIX to identify dependent, responding, independent, and manipulated variables
Statistics - Grade 6-8
- 1
A student measures how plant height changes after giving plants different amounts of water each day. The amounts of water are 0 mL, 25 mL, 50 mL, and 75 mL. The plant height is measured after two weeks. Which variable goes on the x-axis, and which variable goes on the y-axis?
The variable the student changes on purpose is the independent variable.
The amount of water goes on the x-axis because it is the independent or manipulated variable. Plant height goes on the y-axis because it is the dependent or responding variable. - 2
In an experiment, students test how the temperature of water affects the time it takes for sugar to dissolve. They choose water temperatures of 10°C, 25°C, 40°C, and 60°C. They record the dissolving time in seconds. Label the x-axis and y-axis.
Ask which variable is being changed before the result is measured.
Water temperature goes on the x-axis because it is the independent variable. Dissolving time goes on the y-axis because it is the dependent variable. - 3
A class investigates how the number of minutes spent studying affects quiz score. Students record study time in minutes and quiz score as a percent. Which variable is independent, which is dependent, and where does each go on a graph?
Study time is the independent variable and goes on the x-axis. Quiz score is the dependent variable and goes on the y-axis because it may change in response to study time. - 4
A student rolls toy cars down ramps at different ramp heights and measures the distance each car travels. The ramp height is changed from trial to trial. The distance traveled is recorded in centimeters. What should the x-axis label be? What should the y-axis label be?
DRY MIX means the manipulated variable is on the x-axis.
The x-axis should be labeled ramp height because ramp height is the independent variable. The y-axis should be labeled distance traveled because distance traveled is the dependent variable. - 5
An experiment tests how the amount of fertilizer affects the number of tomatoes produced by a plant. The amount of fertilizer is measured in grams, and the number of tomatoes is counted after one month. Use DRY MIX to decide the axis labels.
Amount of fertilizer in grams goes on the x-axis because it is the manipulated or independent variable. Number of tomatoes goes on the y-axis because it is the responding or dependent variable. - 6
A scientist studies how exercise time affects heart rate. Participants walk for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Their heart rate is then measured in beats per minute. Which variable belongs on the x-axis, and which belongs on the y-axis?
The result that is measured after the change usually goes on the y-axis.
Exercise time belongs on the x-axis because it is the independent variable. Heart rate belongs on the y-axis because it is the dependent variable. - 7
A lab group measures how the brightness of a lamp changes as the distance from the lamp increases. Distance from the lamp is measured in centimeters. Brightness is measured in lux. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, x-axis label, and y-axis label.
The x-axis shows what the experimenter changes or chooses.
Distance from the lamp is the independent variable and should be on the x-axis. Brightness is the dependent variable and should be on the y-axis. - 8
A student records the outside temperature each hour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The data will be shown in a line graph. Which variable should go on the x-axis, and which should go on the y-axis?
Time of day should go on the x-axis because it is the independent variable. Outside temperature should go on the y-axis because it changes over time and is the dependent variable. - 9
A science class tests how salt concentration affects the freezing point of water. Salt concentration is measured in grams per liter, and freezing point is measured in degrees Celsius. Use DRY MIX to choose the axes.
Look for the variable that may respond to a change in salt concentration.
Salt concentration goes on the x-axis because it is the independent or manipulated variable. Freezing point goes on the y-axis because it is the dependent or responding variable. - 10
For a graph, a student labels the x-axis as plant growth and the y-axis as hours of sunlight. The experiment tested how hours of sunlight affect plant growth. Is the graph labeled correctly? Explain the correct labels.
Check the graph labels against the sentence, 'how hours of sunlight affect plant growth.'
The graph is not labeled correctly. Hours of sunlight should go on the x-axis because it is the independent variable. Plant growth should go on the y-axis because it is the dependent variable. - 11
A student wants to graph the relationship between the number of batteries connected in a circuit and the brightness of a bulb. The number of batteries is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Brightness is measured using a light sensor. What goes on each axis?
Number of batteries goes on the x-axis because it is the independent variable. Bulb brightness goes on the y-axis because it is the dependent variable. - 12
Write your own example of a scientific graph situation. Include one independent variable and one dependent variable. Then state the x-axis label and y-axis label.
Use DRY MIX: Dependent or Responding on Y, Manipulated or Independent on X.
Answers will vary, but the independent variable should be placed on the x-axis and the dependent variable should be placed on the y-axis. For example, if the experiment tests how music volume affects concentration score, music volume is the x-axis and concentration score is the y-axis.