Variable

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This glossary is far from complete. We are constantly adding math terms.
For instructions on adding new terms, please refer to Math Glossary Main Page

Definition

Variable A characteristic of an individual, object, or condition which may take on different values or measurements. Variables may be dependent or independent, qualitative or quantitative, and continuous or discrete.

Examples

The following are examples of variables:

• Weight - the weight of male adult mice
• Dosage - the amount and timing of a drug administered to the individuals in a study
• Score - individuals' scores on a test

Web Resources

Statistics Online Computational Resource - Types of Data Online Statistics: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study, Chapter: 1. Introduction, Section: Variables

Acknowledgements

Portions of this entry were adapted from

• Qualitative Variables at Online Statistics Education: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study. Project Leader: David M. Lane, Rice University. Retrieved 11 February 2012.