Question

state whether the data described below are discrete or continuous, and explain why. the numbers of eyes that different people have choose the correct answer below. a. the data are continuous because the data can only take on specific values. b. the data are continuous because the data can take on any value in an interval. c. the data are discrete because the data can only take on specific values. d. the data are discrete because the data can take on any value in an interval.

Explanation:

To determine if the data (number of eyes people have) is discrete or continuous, we recall: Discrete data can only take specific, distinct values (like whole numbers, counts), while continuous data can take any value in an interval (e.g., measurements with decimals). The number of eyes a person has is a count (e.g., 0, 1, 2) and can only take specific values (you can't have 1.5 eyes). So we analyze the options:

• Option A: Says continuous but claims data take specific values (contradicts, since continuous data take any interval value). Eliminate.
• Option B: Says continuous and data take any interval value, but eye count is not continuous. Eliminate.
• Option C: Says discrete and data take only specific values. This matches (eye count is a discrete count with specific values like 0,1,2).
• Option D: Says discrete but claims data take any interval value (contradicts, as discrete data are specific). Eliminate.

Answer:

C. The data are discrete because the data can only take on specific values.