The independent variable of a data set is s, while the dependent variable is t. Which of these is an explanatory variable?

A. s

B. t

C. Both s and t

D. neither s and t

The answer is D but sometimes people say or use an explanatory variable as the independent variable but there are differences. For instance, an explanatory variable is an independent variable but an independent variable without certainty. When I say without certainty, I mean that there could be something that could affect the variable and make it change but one just don't know for certain.