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1. Categorical or Quantitative? Classify each variable as categorical or quantit

ID: 3021975 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Categorical or Quantitative? Classify each variable as categorical or quantitative. Hint: Sometimes deciding between categorical and quantitative is not as straightforward as we would hope. As a rule of thumb, think about whether or not numerical operations such as addition, multiplication, etc. are meaningful – they tend to be meaningful mainly for quantitative variables. A second criterion is the number of distinct values the variable can take. If this number is small, e.g. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the variable is likely categorical in nature while for a larger number of possible values the variable is most likely quantitative. (a) Final letter grade received at the end of the semester for students in Stat 226. (b) Number of days absent in 2015 for employees of a corporation. (c) Election candidates for the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. (d) Telephone area codes for residents of Iowa. (e) Daily attendance at an amusement park.

Explanation / Answer

Categorical or Quantitative? Classify each variable as categorical or quantitative. Hint: Sometimes deciding between categorical and quantitative is not as straightforward as we would hope. As a rule of thumb, think about whether or not numerical operations such as addition, multiplication, etc. are meaningful – they tend to be meaningful mainly for quantitative variables. A second criterion is the number of distinct values the variable can take. If this number is small, e.g. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the variable is likely categorical in nature while for a larger number of possible values the variable is most likely quantitative.

c). Election candidates for the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.

d). Telephone area codes for residents of Iowa.

(e) Daily attendance at an amusement park.

Quantitative