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
For those interested in statistics, the researchers used beta coefficients, which, in regression analysis, are numbers that represent the strength and direction of the relationship between a predictor (independent variable) and an outcome (dependent variable).
—
New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
Indeed, the degrees of freedom, or independent variables, that capture the behavior of these systems at microscopic and macroscopic scales have precisely the relationship that the theory predicts.
—Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024
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
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New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
Indeed, the degrees of freedom, or independent variables, that capture the behavior of these systems at microscopic and macroscopic scales have precisely the relationship that the theory predicts.
—Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Independent variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/independent%20variable. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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