A variable which is adjusted in order to maintain or achieve some desired value of another variable is termed the:

The term that describes a variable which is adjusted to maintain or achieve a desired value of another variable is known as the manipulated variable. This variable is actively controlled in various processes to influence the behavior of a system.

For instance, in a temperature control system, the manipulated variable might be the flow rate of steam or cooling water, which is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature of the process. By changing the manipulated variable, an operator can affect the controlled variable, which is the variable they are trying to regulate or hold steady at a certain value.

This concept is fundamental in control systems and engineering, where understanding the differences between various types of variables is crucial for effective automation and process management. Other types of variables, like process and controlled variables, serve distinct roles in the functioning of a control system but do not directly involve adjustment in the same manner as the manipulated variable does.