# Dependent variable: Can it be a derived quantity?

**URL:** <https://discourse.mc-stan.org/t/dependent-variable-can-it-be-a-derived-quantity/27904>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [June 21, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://discourse.mc-stan.org/t/dependent-variable-can-it-be-a-derived-quantity/27904 "2022-06-21T14:47:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![mike-lawrence](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.mc-stan.org/mike-lawrence/32/59_2.png) [@mike-lawrence](https://discourse.mc-stan.org/u/mike-lawrence)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://discourse.mc-stan.org/t/dependent-variable-can-it-be-a-derived-quantity/27904/4 "2022-06-22T22:37:40Z")

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> [@andrjohns](#):
>
> The only situations where you need to be careful are when a non-linear transformation is applied, in which case you would need to add a jacobian adjustment.

And, to clarify, since the transform involves division by a quantity that is data, it’s fine. Division by a parameter would need a jacobian adjustment (ex. [here](https://discourse.mc-stan.org/t/jacobian-in-reparameterizations/21592/8)).

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