Which term refers to the variable used to predict another variable?

The term that refers to the variable used to predict another variable is the independent variable. In statistical and mathematical modeling, the independent variable is the one that is manipulated or controlled to observe its effect on a dependent variable. Essentially, it serves as the input in a given model, and changes to this variable can lead to variations in the dependent variable, which is the outcome or response being measured.

In contrast, the dependent variable is what you measure in the experiment and what gets affected during the experiment. The cyclical variable pertains to a variable that exhibits periodic fluctuations over time; it doesn't primarily relate to prediction. A dummy variable is used to represent categorical data in regression models but is not specifically about predicting another variable. Thus, identifying the independent variable as the predictor is foundational in understanding relationships in linear programming and decision-making contexts.