Provide some examples of discrete and continuous variables W

Provide some examples of discrete and continuous variables. What attributes of these variables make them discrete and continuous? Why?

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Solution

Discrete variable definition :  Variable take only integer values.

For example:

i) Number of trials need by a student to learn a memorization task.

ii) Suppose we flip a coin and count the number of heads. The number of heads will be a value between zero and plus infinity. Within that range, though, the number of heads can be only certain values.

iii) Number of Planets around a star

Continuous variable : If a variable can take on any value between two specified values, it is called a continuous variable;  

For example:

i) Suppose we randomly select an individual from a population. Then, we measure the age of that person. In theory, his/her age can take on any value between zero and plus infinity, so age is a continuous variable.

ii) Suppose the fire department mandates that all fire fighters must weigh between 150 and 250 pounds. The weight of a fire fighter would be an example of a continuous variable; since a fire fighter\'s weight could take on any value between 150 and 250 pounds.

iii)  reaction time (it is in either seconds or minutes)