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ble Window Help (5133 unread)-leandrosuap, x | iCampus I X McGraw-Hill. Secure l

ID: 3314274 • Letter: B

Question

ble Window Help (5133 unread)-leandrosuap, x | iCampus I X McGraw-Hill. Secure l awh.aleks.com/alekscgi/x/Isl.exe/1o_u-IgNslkr7j8P3jH-Iv-6b ALEKS HEL2 Mypie Review Dictionary CalculatorAssignments Book Calen Which of the following variables are best thought of as cont Indicate your choice for each by checking the appropriate column. inuous, which discrete? Variable (a) The number of insects feeding on a tree leaf (b) The total number of goals scored by a soccer team in a rate charged by a local bank this quarter for new-home loans (a) The height of a fifth grade boy Clear Next > Explain

Explanation / Answer

A variable is said to be continuous ,when it can take any value(within a specified interval). For example,the height of an individual may have any value between,say 58 inches and 72 inches.It may be 65.2 inches,65.23 inches,or even 65.22709 inches,provided we could measure the height so precisely. So a continuous variable can take an infinite number of values within a given interval,however small it may be.

A variable is said to be discrete,if it can take only some isolated values. For example, the no. of children in a family can take only the values 0,1,2,3 etc, i.e only the whole numbers.It cannot take any fractional value.

So,

a) The number of insects feeding on a tree leaf can take only some isolated values,i.e only whole numbers. So it is a discrete variable.

b) The total no. of goals scored by a soccer team in a season can take only whole number values. So it is a discrete variable.

c) The interest rate charged by a local bank this quarter for new home loans can take any value(fractional values also). So it is a continuous variable.

d)The height of a fifth grade boy can take any value,so it is a continuous variable.