dependent variable

Other forms: dependent variables

A dependent variable, a term used in math and statistics, is the value that changes, depending on the changes you make in the "independent variable." It's usually called "y," while the independent variable is "x."

Say you want to find out whether shoes can make you jump higher. First you tie on a pair of Hi-Jumps (your independent variable) and see how high you jump (your dependent variable). Then you try a pair of Bouncy-Man hi-tops (independent variable) and again measure how high you jump (the dependent variable). The changing values of the dependent variable — how high you jump — presumably depend on the independent variable, the different brands of shoes.

Definitions of dependent variable

1. noun

   (statistics) a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value depends on the independent variable
   “if f(x)=y, y is the dependent variable”

   type of:

   variable, variable quantity

   a quantity that can assume any of a set of values