VARIABLE: A quantity, usually represented as a symbol, that can take on one of a set of values. Variables play a key role in the scientific method and economic analysis. A major task undertaken by the study of economics is to identify the specific value of variables such as price, quantity, unemployment, production, wages, income, among a host of others. This often accomplished using assorted models, such as the market model. See also | model | economic analysis | scientific method | exogenous variable | endogenous variable | market | price | quantity |