independent variable
function variable
evaluation variable
estimation variable
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
The correct answer is: A. independent variable
An independent variable is a variable that is changed or controlled in an experiment to see if it has a measurable effect on another variable, called the dependent variable.
A function variable is a variable that is used to define a function.
An evaluation variable is a variable that is used to evaluate the performance of a system or process.
An estimation variable is a variable that is used to estimate the value of another variable.
In the context of the question, the factor used to predict the dependent variable is the independent variable.