DEPENDENT VARIABLE - The dependent variable is what must be measured numerically during the experiment that will answer the problem. Use metric units.
 
example: The dependent variable that is measured numerically, recorded during the experiment, and answers the experiment's problem is the daily height of the bean plants measured in centimeters.

Examples of some commonly used numerical (quantitative) measurements include:

MEASUREMENT

EXAMPLES

DEVICE OR EQUIPMENT USED

UNITS

LENGTH

how long something is

  • Height of a plant
  • Distance football kicked
  • Ruler
  • Tape measure
  • millimeters (mm)
  • centimeters (cm)
  • meters (m)
VOLUME

how much space something takes up

  • Amount of water absorbed
  • Amount of juice squeezed
  • Graduated cylinder
  • Measuring cup
  • milliliters (mL)
  • liters (L)
MASS

how much matter something is made of

  • how heavy a nail is
  • how heavy a worm is
  • triple beam balance
  • spring scale
  • bathroom scale
  • milligrams
  • grams
  • kilograms
TEMPERATURE

how hot or cold something is

  • temperature of air
  • temperature of object
  • thermometer
  • degrees Celsius
TIME

how long it takes to do something

  • time to run 100 meters
  • time to dry
  • clock
  • watch
  • stop watch
  • seconds
  • minutes
  • hours

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