Dajuan is studying the effect of the amount of lactobacillus bacteria in yogurt on its viscosity. He chooses two amounts of lactobacillus bacteria, the standard amount and an increased amount. He makes 75 batches of yogurt at each level and tests their viscosity. In this situation, what is the amount of lactobacillus bacteria called?

Question

Dajuan is studying the effect of the amount of lactobacillus bacteria in yogurt on its viscosity. He chooses two amounts of lactobacillus bacteria, the standard amount and an increased amount. He makes 75 batches of yogurt at each level and tests their viscosity. In this situation, what is the amount of lactobacillus bacteria called?

A. the dependent variable
B. the treatment
C. the independent variable
D. the population

Answer 1

C. the independent variable

The amount of lactobacillus bacteria in the yogurt is the independent variable because it is being intentionally manipulated by Dajuan in order to observe its effect on the viscosity of the yogurt.