answersLogoWhite

0

Mass is a continuous variable. It's the measure of resistance an object has to changing its velocity and can be any positive value. Compare to discrete variables which are only whole numbers.

For example, on Earth a bag of flour with a mass of 1.5 kilograms weighs 14.709975 newtons, both of which are continuous variables. It is only 1 bag of flour though, which is a discrete variable. To extend the consideration, while the 1 bag could be cut in half, there would then be 2 bags (2 half-bags, 2 bag halves) each with .75 kg of flour.

It could be said that generally things that are measured (time, distance, height, weight) are continuous and generally things that are counted (people, cars, cups, bags) are discrete. It's possible to linguistically muddle the distinction though.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

EzraEzra
Faith is not about having all the answers, but learning to ask the right questions.
Chat with Ezra
RafaRafa
There's no fun in playing it safe. Why not try something a little unhinged?
Chat with Rafa
RossRoss
Every question is just a happy little opportunity.
Chat with Ross

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Is a mass of something a continuous or discrete variable?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Statistics

Is mass a continuous or discrete variable?

It is a continuous variable.


Is mass continuous or discrete?

mass is continuous


What is the difference among non-orderable discrete orderable discrete continuous variables?

A non-orderable discrete variable is usually one for which the information that is recorded can only have a finite number of qualitative outcomes and that there is no relevant ordering of these outcomes. One example might be favourite fruit. Although the responses can be ordered alphabetically, or by mass of typical specimen, these are not relevant ordering schemes. An orderable discrete variable is one in which there is a relevant basis for ordering the outcomes. An example might be shoe sizes which, in the UK, go ... 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, ... .The ordering reflects how large the shoe is. A continuous variable is one which can take any possible value in the permitted range. A typical example is a person's height. Even though in recording the variable becomes discretised (eg 5ft 10" or 176 cm), the underlying variable is continuous.


What is the difference between a probability mass function and a probability density function?

The probability mass function is used to characterize the distribution of discrete random variables, while the probability density function is used to characterize the distribution of absolutely continuous random variables. You might want to read more about this at www.statlect.com/prbdst1.htm (see the link below or on the right)


What is plotted on the x axis of a line graph?

The independent variable - if there is one. A variable that is common to a number of pairs of variables that you wish to compare. For example, if you want to compare height and mass at various ages, the age would be on the x-axis.