criticalvariable
nounUK /ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈveəriəbl/
US /ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈveriəbl/
A critical variable is something very important that can change and affect how things turn out.
In our science experiment, the temperature was a critical variable that changed the result.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In math, a critical variable is a value that makes a function's slope zero or undefined.
The teacher asked us to find the critical variable where the curve turns.
3. In research, a critical variable is the one factor a scientist watches most closely.
Sleep was the critical variable in the study about memory.
4. In everyday planning, a critical variable is the thing that could change your whole plan.
The weather is the critical variable for our picnic tomorrow.