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independent variable
[in-di-pen-duhnt vair-ee-uh-buhl]
noun
Mathematics.a variable in a functional relation whose value determines the value or values of other variables, as x in the relation y = 3 x 2 .
Statistics.(in an experiment) a variable that is intentionally changed to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
independent variable
noun
Also called: argument.a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value determines that of the dependent variable: in y = f( x ), x is the independent variable
Also called: predictor.statistics the variable which an experimenter deliberately manipulates in order to observe its relationship with some other quantity, or which defines the distinct conditions in an experiment See also experimental condition
independent variable
In mathematics, a variable whose value determines the value of other variables. For example, in the formula for the area of a circle, A = π r 2, r is the independent variable, as its value determines the value of the area (A).
Compare dependent variable
Word History and Origins
Origin of independent variable1
Example Sentences
This study only looked at 52 brains, and the researchers couldn’t rule out independent variables that could be contributing to disease.
The neurons that add the most dimensional flexibility are the "nonlinear mixed selectivity" ones that can account for multiple independent variables without necessarily summing them.
In every case, civilian control, whether loose or restrictive, is an independent variable upon which democracy depends.
Race and class have never been independent variables in American history, or at least not since the early 17th century.
"So we measured that. We took the independent variables and measured it against the fatalities."
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When To Use
In the context of scientific experiments, an independent variable is a factor that you change to see how it affects the results.So, for instance, if you’re measuring how effective a medication is, independent variables could include the amount of dosage, how frequently it’s taken, and the characteristics of each test subject, such as their age and weight.In general, a variable is called a variable because it can vary. It’s any factor that could change or be changed. In the context of scientific experiments, there are three different types of variables: dependent variables, independent variables, and control variables. Independent variables are the factors that you change. Dependent variables are things that are affected by the changes that you make—the results of the tests (which depend on the independent variables). Control variables are the factors that you do not change. They are kept the same for every test or measurement in order to make sure that the results can be compared fairly.For example, let’s say you’re trying to figure out which brand of plant food will help a sunflower grow to the tallest height. The dependent variable is the final height of the sunflower. The independent variable (the factor that you change) is the brand of plant food. There are a number of other factors that could impact the growth of the plant, including things like the amount of sunlight and the amount of water. To allow for a proper comparison of the results, these need to be control variables—they need to be controlled, or kept the same. This way, you can have a greater degree of certainty that the final difference in heights (the dependent variable) is due to which food each sunflower received (the independent variable), not differences in sunlight or water.
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