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dependent variable
[dih-pen-duhnt vair-ee-uh-buhl]
noun
Mathematics.a variable in a functional relation whose value is determined by the values assumed by other variables in the relation, as y in the relation y = 3 x 2 .
Statistics.(in an experiment) the event studied and expected to change when the independent variable is changed.
dependent variable
noun
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value depends on that taken on by the independent variable
in "y = f(x)", "y'"is the dependent variable
psychol statistics the variable measured by the experimenter. It is controlled by the value of the independent variable, of which it is an index
dependent variable
In mathematics, a variable whose value is determined by the value of an independent variable. For example, in the formula for the area of a circle, A = π r 2, A is the dependent variable, as its value depends on the value of the radius (r).
Compare independent variable
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of dependent variable1
Example Sentences
It has a little bit of the sampling on the dependent variable feature.
The scientists behind the social-climate model have begun to do their part to consider how sociopolitical phenomena manifest as dependent variables.
By making the level of interest rates a dependent variable, Volcker bought himself a little political cover.
In experimental methodology, scientists are taught that the independent variable — the one controlled by the researcher — belongs on the x-axis of a graph, while the dependent variable — the one being measured — belongs on the y-axis.
Cragg, J. G. Some statistical models for limited dependent variable with application to the demand for durable goods.
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When To Use
In the context of scientific experiments, a dependent variable is the thing or situation being studied that you expect to change based on the choices you make during the experiment.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 to see how they affect the results. 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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