understoodvariable
nounUK /ˌʌndəˈstʊd ˈveəriəbl/
US /ˌʌndərˈstʊd ˈveriəbl/
A thing in math that can change but that everyone already knows the value of.
In the puzzle, the understood variable was the number of apples, which everyone knew was five.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A symbol whose value is taken for granted without being written down.
The teacher said x was an understood variable, so we didn't need to solve for it.
3. In programming, a variable whose value is set elsewhere and assumed by the code.
The function used an understood variable from the main program.
4. A factor in a situation that people accept as already known.
In the game, the understood variable was that everyone would play fair.