Mac Christie sells Pepsi cans. Lately he has been having troubles with his sales. His friend Jake suggests that he try selling Coca-Cola instead. So Mac decides to sell Pepsi for $1 for one week. The next week he will sell Coca-Cola for $1 for a week. Week 2, when he sold Coca-Cola, made double the amount of sales than week 1, when he sold pepsi.

1. What was the problem Mac wanted to investigate?

 

2. What is the independent variable?

 

3. What is the dependent variable?

 

4. What do you think Mac’s conclusion should be?

 

5. How could Mac improve his experimental design?

Answers

1. What was the initial observation? His pop sales have been decreasing.
2. What was the control? Same cost, same amount of selling days.
3. What was the independent variable? The brand of pop.
4. What was the dependent variable? The amount of pop he sells.
5. What conclusion should be made about the investigation? The Coca-Cola sells better than the Pepsi.
6. How could the experimental design be improved? He could sell the pop for a longer period of time. He could sell it to the same people and gather opinions on which pop they like better. Have a specific amount of people you’re selling each brand to.