Variables and variation

VARIABLE is a measurable characteristic that varies. It may change from group to group, person to person, or even within one person over time. There are six common variable types:  Independent variable An independent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure. For example, someone's age might be an independent variable. Other factors (such as what they eat, how much they go to school, how much television they watch) aren't going to change a person's age. In fact, when you are looking for some kind of relationship between variables you are trying to see if the independent variable causes some kind of change in the other variables, or dependent variables. Dependent variable  Just like an independent variable, a dependent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is something that depends on other factors. For example, a test score could be a dependent variable because it could change depending on several factors such as how much you studied, how much sleep you got the night before you took the test, or even how hungry you were when you took it. Usually when you are looking for a relationship between two things you are trying to find out what makes the dependent variable change the way it does. A variable is a quantity whose value changes.  A discrete variable is a variable whose value is obtained by counting. Examples:     number of students present                                     number of red marbles in a jar                                     number of heads when flipping three coins                                     students’ grade level A continuous variable is a variable whose value is obtained by measuring. Examples:     height of students in class                         weight of students in class                         time it takes to get to school                         distance traveled between classes Reference  https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/help/user_guide/graph/variables.asp http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/ugh/apstat/chapternotes/7supplement.html