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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.

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


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.


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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.


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


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

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