Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
explanatory variable
Noun
/ɪkˈsplænəˌtɔri ˈvɛrɪəbl/
Definition
A variable that is used to explain or predict the outcome of a dependent variable in a statistical model.
Examples
- The amount of study time is an explanatory variable for exam scores.
- In this analysis, age is considered an explanatory variable for income levels.
Meaning
Explanatory variables are independent variables whose variation explains the variation in the dependent variable.
Synonyms
- Independent variable
- Predictor variable
- Regressor
