What is the Difference Between Discrete and Continuous Variables?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between discrete and continuous variables lies in the number of possible values they can take and how they are measured or counted. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Discrete variables represent counts or finite values, and they can only take values that are whole numbers or integers. Examples of discrete variables include the number of objects in a collection, the number of children in a household, or the number of pages in a book. Discrete variables can be plotted as points on a chart.
- Continuous variables represent measurable amounts and can take any value within a given range, including fractional or decimal values. The number of possible values within a range for a continuous variable is infinite. Examples of continuous variables include the time it takes sprinters to run 100 meters, the size of real estate lots in a city, or the weight of baby elephants. Continuous variables can be plotted as a line on a chart.
In summary, discrete variables are countable and typically used for experiments involving whole numbers or integers, while continuous variables are measurable and can take any value within a given range, including fractions and decimals.
Comparative Table: Discrete vs Continuous Variables
The main difference between discrete and continuous variables is that discrete variables take on countable and distinct values, while continuous variables can take on any value within a given range and are not countable. Here is a table summarizing the key differences between discrete and continuous variables:
| Discrete Variables | Continuous Variables |
|---|---|
| Countable values | Non-countable values |
| Distinct values | Values within a range |
| Usually appear in whole numbers or integers | May appear in fractions or decimals |
| Examples: Number of children in a household, number of planets around a star | Examples: Temperature in Arizona, the time it takes 5th graders to run a 50-yard dash |
Discrete variables are often used to represent data points on a chart, while continuous variables can be plotted as a line. In summary, discrete variables have countable and distinct values, and continuous variables have non-countable values that can vary within a given range.
- Discrete vs Continuous Data
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- Discrete Function vs Continuous Function
- Continuous vs Discontinuous Variation
- Discrete vs Continuous Probability Distributions
- Continuous vs Discrete Spectrum
- Variable vs Random Variable
- Variable vs Constant
- Continuous vs Continual
- Discrete vs Discreet
- Dependent vs Independent Variables
- Random Variables vs Probability Distribution
- Ordinal Data vs Interval Data
- Categorical vs Quantitative Data
- Variable vs Parameter
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- Difference Equation vs Differential Equation
- Consistent vs Constant
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