Question

data will be collected on the following variables. which variable can be considered discrete? a the height of a person b the weight of a person c the length of a person’s arm span d the time it takes for a person to solve a puzzle e the number of books a person finished reading last month

Explanation:

A discrete variable is one that can take on only distinct, separate values (usually whole numbers), while a continuous variable can take on any value within a range.

• Option A: Height can take any value (e.g., 1.75 m, 1.755 m), so it's continuous.
• Option B: Weight can take any value (e.g., 60.5 kg, 60.55 kg), so it's continuous.
• Option C: Arm span length can take any value (e.g., 1.7 m, 1.705 m), so it's continuous.
• Option D: Time to solve a puzzle can take any value (e.g., 5.5 minutes, 5.55 minutes), so it's continuous.
• Option E: The number of books finished reading can only be whole numbers (0, 1, 2, ...), so it's discrete.

Answer:

E. The number of books a person finished reading last month