control variable
nounUK /kənˈtrəʊl ˈveəriəbl/
US /kənˈtroʊl ˈveriəbl/
A control variable is something a scientist keeps the same in every test so it does not change the results.
In our plant experiment, we kept the amount of water as a control variable so only sunlight changed.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In math, a control variable is a value that is kept fixed while other values change.
The graph used a control variable of 5 for the starting height.
3. In computer programming, a control variable is a value that decides how many times a loop repeats.
The loop's control variable counted from 1 to 10.
4. In statistics, a control variable is a factor that is held steady to avoid confusing the results.
Researchers added age as a control variable in the study.