Answer:
The correct answer is the independent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
An independent variable signifies a variable, which is supervised or changed in a scientific experiment. It signifies the reason or causes of an outcome. The independent variables refer to the variables, which are changed or manipulated by the researcher in order to examine the dependent variable.
A modification in the independent variable straightforwardly makes a variation in the dependent variable. The influence on the dependent variable is recorded and measured. Thus, it is clear that the manipulated factor at varying levels in the given case is the independent variable.