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

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Q: What is the difference between a discrete and a continuous probability function?
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What is the formula for a random variable?

The formula, if any, depends on the probability distribution function for the variable. In the case of a discrete variable, X, this defines the probability that X = x. For a continuous variable, the probability density function is a continuous function, f(x), such that Pr(a < X < b) is the area under the function f, between a and b (or the definite integral or f, with respect to x, between a and b.


How can you tell if a graph is a continuous function or a discrete function?

The graph of a continuous function will not have any 'breaks' or 'gaps' in it. You can draw it without lifting your pencil or pen. The graph of a discrete function will just be a set of lines.


The mode is the largest value in a symmetric distribution?

Yes- the highest probability value is the mode. Let me clarify this answer: For a probability mass function for a discrete variables, the mode is the value with the highest probability as shown on the y axis. For a probability density function for continuous variables, the mode is the value with the highest probability density as shown on the y-axis.


What is the area under a discrete probability distribution function?

1.


Density function of a continuous random variable?

I am not quite sure what you are asking. If this answer is not complete, please be more specific. There are many probability density functions (pdf) of continuous variables, including the Normal, exponential, gamma, beta, log normal and Pareto. There are many links on the internet. I felt that the related link gives a very "common sense" approach to understanding pdf's and their relationship to probability of events. As explained in the video, a probability can be read directly from a discrete distribution (called a probability mass function) but in the case of a continuous variable, it is the area under the curve that represents probability.