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A continuous variable is one that can take any real numerical value. The length of a strip can be anything. A person's height and age can take any real values, within reasonable limits. Whereas, discrete variables will only have values that are whole numbers, like the number of people on a football team, or the number of major planets in the solar system. No star could ever have 5.62 major planets, for example.

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Q: What is the difference between a discrete variable and a continuous variable?
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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 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 continuous and discrete variables?

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.


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 continuous and categorical independent variables?

A categorical variable (also known as a discrete variable) is one whose range is countable; e.g. the variable answ has values [yes, no, not sure]. answ is a categorical variable with range 3.A continuous variable is one which is not categorical; e.g. weight is a continuous variable which can take any value between 0 and 1000 kg (say) for a human being.

Related questions

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 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 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 continuous and discrete variables?

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.


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 continuous and categorical independent variables?

A categorical variable (also known as a discrete variable) is one whose range is countable; e.g. the variable answ has values [yes, no, not sure]. answ is a categorical variable with range 3.A continuous variable is one which is not categorical; e.g. weight is a continuous variable which can take any value between 0 and 1000 kg (say) for a human being.


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 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 difference between a discrete variable and a continuous variable?

a continous variable is one that can assume different values at each point, so if you were measuring height it could be 187.1, 187.2.. 187.8, but this can not be used for something such as measuring the amount of people in a family, because there can't be 3.4 people in a family. This is when discrete variable is used, this measures full numbers.


Is the number of pregnancies a woman has had an example of discrete or continuous variable?

Discrete. You can't have 1.5 pregnancies. Or anything between 1 or 2. If you have had 1, your next is 2.


What is a discontinuous variable?

A discontinuous variable is a variable that has distinct categories. Blood type is a good example. You could be A, B, AB or O. This contrasts with a continuous variable such as height or weight, where there are an almost infinite number of possible values. Data for discontinuous variables is usually represented using a bar graph or pie chart, but never a scatter graph.