Final Answer:
The independent variable in a graph is the variable intentionally manipulated or changed during an experiment. It is what researchers control to observe its impact on the dependent variable, the measured outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The independent variable in a graph represents the variable that is intentionally manipulated or changed during an experiment. It is the variable that is believed to have an effect on the dependent variable, which is the outcome or response being measured.
For example, in a graph depicting the growth of plants under different amounts of sunlight, the independent variable would be the varying levels of sunlight exposure. Researchers intentionally adjust or control this variable to observe its impact on plant growth.
The dependent variable, on the other hand, is what is measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable, such as the height or health of the plants in the sunlight experiment.