independent variable

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Independent variable

Term used in regression analysis to represent the element or condition that is expected to influence another (so-called dependent) variable.

Independent Variable

In technical analysis, a variable whose value is not determined by the value of other variable(s), but rather determines the value of those other variable(s). For example, if a product's price is determined by some equation involving the product's supply and its demand, supply and demand are independent variables because together they determine the product's price. See also: Dependent variable.

independent variable

A variable that is not affected by any other variables with which it is compared. For example, in comparing the price of an electric utility stock with interest rates, the interest rates are an independent variable because they are not affected by utility stock prices. Compare dependent variable.

independent variable

a variable that affects some other variable in a model. For example, the price of a product (the independent variable) will influence the demand for it (the DEPENDENT VARIABLE). It is conventional to place the independent variable on the right-hand side of an EQUATION. See DEMAND FUNCTION, SUPPLY FUNCTION.