latent variable

synonyms: hidden variable, latent construct
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.10095
Variable that is inferred through a mathematical model from other variables that are observed.
Notes:
  1. The factors obtain from common factor analysis are termed latent variables.
  2. A distinction can be made between ‘hidden variable’, which is considered to be an actual variable that is buried in the effects of other variables and noise, and a ‘latent variable’ that is entirely hypothetical.
Source:
PAC, 2016, 88, 407. (Vocabulary of concepts and terms in chemometrics (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)) on page 420 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'latent variable' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.10095 RIS BibTex EndNote
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