answersLogoWhite

0

Change no more than one. Otherwise, you can't tell which changing variable is having the observed effect.


Ideally, you should change only one variable at once.

Sometimes in the real world this isn't possible for any of a variety of reasons (one example is if you're measuring things where you have no control over the input, where you pretty much have to take whatever data you can get). However, in such cases you've got to make at least one more measurement than the number of variables that are changing and solve a system of simultaneous equations. It's a lot more complicated, and may not be possible unless you're absolutely sure you've got the underlying theory worked out (for example, if the dependence on a given variable might be linear, quadratic, or something else, this probably won't work at all, and at the very least you should get a lot more observations to confirm that things are working the way you think).

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

RossRoss
Every question is just a happy little opportunity.
Chat with Ross
ViviVivi
Your ride-or-die bestie who's seen you through every high and low.
Chat with Vivi
LaoLao
The path is yours to walk; I am only here to hold up a mirror.
Chat with Lao
More answers

Ideally, you should change only one variable at once.

Sometimes in the real world this isn't possible for any of a variety of reasons (one example is if you're measuring things where you have no control over the input, where you pretty much have to take whatever data you can get). However, in such cases you've got to make at least one more measurement than the number of variables that are changing and solve a system of simultaneous equations. It's a lot more complicated, and may not be possible unless you're absolutely sure you've got the underlying theory worked out (for example, if the dependence on a given variable might be linear, quadratic, or something else, this probably won't work at all, and at the very least you should get a lot more observations to confirm that things are working the way you think).

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
User Avatar

Change no more than one. Otherwise, you can't tell which changing variable is having the observed effect.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How many variables do we change at once in a good controlled experiment?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General Science

How many variables do you need in a science experiment?

Ideally, an experiment should test only one variable (the independent variable) at a time. If you have two or more variables changing at the same time you have no way of knowing which variable is causing your results.


What is the purpose of controlled variables in an experiments?

The purpose of a control variable in an experiment is to allow the experiment to come out with accurate results. It makes it a lot easier to measure the results when different things aren't affecting it.


How many variables do you change in an experiment?

Controlling for a variable is the act of deliberately varying the experimental conditions in order to take a single variable into account in the prediction of the outcome variable. Controlling tends to reduce the experimental error. A control is something that does not change in the experiment.


The blank variable is the part of the experiment that is affected by the independent variable?

The independent variable is the part of the experiment that is being tested or the part that is changed by the person doing the experiment. The dependent variable is the part of the experiment that is affected by the independent variable.


How many variables can a scientist change in an experiment?

Anything that can be changed in any way is a variable. so,,,,,an infinite number. Day, time, heat, light, humidity, speed, what you ate for dinner the Wednesday before you go shopping. So, quite literally, an infinite number. Hope this helps.