Dependent and independent variables

Dependent and independent variables are like pieces of a puzzle. The independent variable is like the puzzle piece you decide to use first. With puzzles, that piece usually goes in one spot. The dependent variable is what happens when you add the independent variable. So with a puzzle, it might be the other pieces you need to put around the first piece to make the entire picture. In science, the independent variable is what a scientist changes to see how it affects the dependent variable.