Final answer:
A dummy variable is a binary variable that takes on numerical values of 1 or 0 to describe two categories of a categorical variable. The category that assumes a value of 0 is commonly referred to as the benchmark category or the reference category.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dummy variable, also referred to as an indicator or a binary variable, takes on numerical values of 1 or 0 to describe two categories of a categorical variable.
For a predictor variable that is a dummy variable, the category that assumes a value of 0 is commonly referred to as the benchmark category or the reference category.
It is important to note that these terms are interchangeable and often used in different fields of study.