independent variable

noun

: a mathematical variable that is independent of the other variables in an expression or function and whose value determines one or more of the values of the other variables

Examples of independent variable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The idea that multiple independent variables can influence a dependent variable like income is not exactly a new one. Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024 This computer could solve complex differential equations of one independent variable with an accuracy that was within a few percent of the correct solution. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Dec. 2017 There is no single, controllable, independent variable. Dan Musgrave, Longreads, 9 May 2023 The predictive power of the model rose to 56-62% when past behavior was included as a third independent variable. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2010 The only independent variable would be a 45-minute dose of bright morning light. Kate Greene, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2013 If on the other hand there are many alleles of small effect distributed throughout the genome correlated with geographic ancestry which affect the final phenotype then adding ancestry as an independent variable into the model should be informative. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2013 Moreover, because price is the primary independent variable in a listing, the short time spent on the market suggests that sellers priced right. John Walkup, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2021 Vaccine uptake is the dependent variable and trust in EU institutions is the independent variable. Lutz Finger, Forbes, 6 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'independent variable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of independent variable was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near independent variable

Cite this Entry

“Independent variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/independent%20variable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

independent variable

noun
: a variable whose values are specified first or before an experiment is performed and are used to find values of an expression, another variable, or a function that depends on the first variable compare dependent variable

More from Merriam-Webster on independent variable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!