Word Origin and History for attenuate Expand v. to make thin, to make less, 1520s, from Latin attenuatus enfeebled, weak, past participle of attenuare to make thin, lessen, diminish, from ad-to (see ad-) + tenuare make thin, from tenuis thin (see tenet).
Dependent Variable Definition: A dependent variable is the variable being tested in a scientific experiment. The dependent variable is 'dependent' on the independent variable. As the experimenter changes the independent variable, the change in the dependent variable is observed and recorded.
Summary of Differences. 1  In science, for one independent variable, there may be more than one dependent variable. 2  The value of an independent value can be changed. 3  The independent variable is the value which is manipulated in an experiment. The dependent variable is the value observed by the researcher during an experiment. Knowing the differences between independent and dependent variables will help as you as you sharpen your problem solving skills and continue to explore new concepts within the fields of mathematics and the science.