Magnetic variation is the angular difference between magnetic north and compass north.

### Why this is right The statement describes deviation, not variation. Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north; deviation is the difference between magnetic north and compass north. ### The concept These errors occupy adjacent steps in a direction conversion, so they are easy to confuse. Variation connects geographic true north to magnetic north. Deviation connects magnetic north to the direction indicated by the aircraft compass and is associated with aircraft magnetic influences. Apply the corrections in that order: variation, then deviation. ### The other options - **The statement is false.** It is tempting because both terms describe angular differences between north references, but the reference pairs are different. The statement would be true if it said deviation. ### Terms - **Magnetic variation**: The angle between true north and magnetic north. - **Deviation**: The angle between magnetic north and compass north. - **Compass north**: The north direction indicated by the aircraft's compass. ### Remember Variation is true-to-magnetic; deviation is magnetic-to-compass.