- Definition
A variable is something that can change or be different, like a number, a colour, or a size, that we can measure or count.
In a survey of students' pets, the 'type of animal' is a variable because it can be a dog, cat, or fish.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A variable is like a question on a survey, like 'What is your favorite sport?', where the answer can be different for each person who takes it.
Ask your child: What things about your classmates could you measure or count?
Common mix-up: Students may think a variable is always a letter like 'x' that stands for one unknown number. In data, a variable is a characteristic we can measure, and it can have many different values across a group.
Examples
- The height of each student in a class is a variable because it can be measured.
- The number of goals scored by each player on a soccer team is a variable.
variable (data) is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
