EXAMPLE 7 Discrete or continuous?

Suppose we collect data on a statistics student in your class, including (a) number of math courses taken, and (b) grade point average (GPA). Determine whether these variables are discrete or continuous.

Solution

  1. Because the number of math courses is finite, the variable number of math courses taken is discrete.
  2. Because GPA can take an infinite number of possible values (for example, in the interval 0.0 to 4.0), the variable GPA is continuous.

NOW YOU CAN DO

Exercises 15, 21, and 27.