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Continuous variable is one like temperature, and discrete variable are ones like male and female. So if you are looking at temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees, there is an infinite number of them. Say between 99 and 99.1, we have 99.05 and between that and 99 we have 99.005 etc. The variable is continuous because it can take on any value between 90 and 100. But if you are talking about gender, than it is either male of female and not continuous. Having said all this, now we define a continuous variable A continuous is one for which, within the limits the variable ranges, any value is possible. So what about time? If the variable is how long it take to read this answer, is that discrete? NO, it is continuous. A five point scale is an example of a discrete variable.

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15y ago
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12y ago

A discrete variable can only take selected values - although there may be infinitely many such values. An example of such a variable would be an integer.

A continuous variable is one that can take any value in a range (which may be infinite).

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Q: Difference between continuous and discrete variables?
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What is the difference between continuous and discontinuous and discrete variables?

A continuous variable is a variable for which all possible representations are valid. A discrete variable is a variable for which only some representations are valid. Discontinuous variables apply to data sets where values recorded during particular periods are missing from the set.


Difference between discrete and continuous?

A continuous variable is one that can take any value within an interval (or a set of intervals). A discrete variable is one that can only take certain values.Some further notes:* Often a discrete variable takes integer values, but that is not necessary.* Neither discrete nor continuous variables need be limited to a finite number of possible values.* Frequently, continuous variables are continuous only in principle, and the measuring instruments or recording make them discrete. Eg your height is continuous but as soon as it is recorded as 1.75 cm or 5'9", it is made discrete.


What is the difference between discrete and continuous graphs?

Discrete and Continuous GraphThis will be a very basic definition but understandable one A graph is discrete when one (or both) of the variables has discrete entries, its means that are entered number, without decimal part, so the graph has no continuity, the trace will be broken parts, not a single one.beside a continuous graph is a graph where both variables are continuous, it means that their field's are de Real number, so the trace it's a continuous line.Also we can differentiated because the range are points (in a discrete one) and all the numbers (in a continuous one).


What is the difference between a discrete and a continuous probability function?

A discrete random variable (RV) can only take a selected number of values whereas a continuous rv can take infinitely many.


What is the difference between discrete data and continuous data?

Discrete variables have numbers that can be counted. Continuous data is measurable. Discrete data are data which can only take on a finite or countable number of values within a given range. Continuous data are data which can take on any value. It is measured rather than counted. The mass of a given sample of iron is continuous; the number of marbles in a bag is discrete.

Related questions

What is the difference between continuous and discrete system?

The difference between continuous and discrete system lies in the variables. Whereas the continuous systems have dynamic variables, the discrete system have static variables.


What is the difference between continuous and discontinuous and discrete variables?

A continuous variable is a variable for which all possible representations are valid. A discrete variable is a variable for which only some representations are valid. Discontinuous variables apply to data sets where values recorded during particular periods are missing from the set.


Difference between discrete and continuous?

A continuous variable is one that can take any value within an interval (or a set of intervals). A discrete variable is one that can only take certain values.Some further notes:* Often a discrete variable takes integer values, but that is not necessary.* Neither discrete nor continuous variables need be limited to a finite number of possible values.* Frequently, continuous variables are continuous only in principle, and the measuring instruments or recording make them discrete. Eg your height is continuous but as soon as it is recorded as 1.75 cm or 5'9", it is made discrete.


What is the difference between discrete and continuous graphs?

Discrete and Continuous GraphThis will be a very basic definition but understandable one A graph is discrete when one (or both) of the variables has discrete entries, its means that are entered number, without decimal part, so the graph has no continuity, the trace will be broken parts, not a single one.beside a continuous graph is a graph where both variables are continuous, it means that their field's are de Real number, so the trace it's a continuous line.Also we can differentiated because the range are points (in a discrete one) and all the numbers (in a continuous one).


What type of data has an infinite number of points between each measurement?

I think you are going for continuous variable, as compared with discrete variables.


What is the difference between a discrete and a continuous distribution?

A simple continuous distribution can take any value between two other values whereas a discrete distribution cannot.


What is the difference between a discrete and a continuous probability function?

A discrete random variable (RV) can only take a selected number of values whereas a continuous rv can take infinitely many.


What type of data has an infinite number of points between each measurment?

I think you are going for continuous variable, as compared with discrete variables.


Whats the difference between analog and digital signal?

Analog signals are continuous while digital signals are discrete


What is the difference between discrete and cumulative distributions?

A discrete distribution is one in which the random variable can take only a limited number of values. A cumulative distribution, which can be discrete of continuous, is the sum (if discrete) or integral (if continuous) of the probabilities of all events for which the random variable is less than or equal to the given value.


What is the difference between demand function and demand schedule?

Demand schedule: a list of demand/price equivalencies. It can best be seen as a table with discrete points. Demand function: a continuous function of price-demand interaction. Main difference: schedule is discrete; function is continuous.


Can you distinguish between discrete and continuous variables in statistics?

Quick way to think about the difference: Discrete variables have to be measured in whole numbers; typically you can't have fractions of discrete variables. Continuous variables can be measured, if desired, to very fine levels of accuracy and are typically not thought of as being measured in whole numbers. Example: How many drinking glasses do you own? Your answer will be a whole number. A fraction of a drinking glass has no meaning, unless you're counting broken glasses. How much water is in that glass? Your answer could be finely measured over any number of different scales, to any number of decimal places. Amount of water would be a continuous variabe in this case. There are various ways to use and measure variables, so it depends on your research need. For example, water might be a discrete variable if you are using 8 ounce sealed bottles of water as your units.