Numerical - discrete and continuous

[Yacoubb]

Hi guys I've realised that on my first Further test (Chapter One test), I achieved 39/40. I was gutted and I found out that the mistake I made was not being able to recognise that ENTER SCORE was a discrete numerical variable, and like an idiot, I chose that it was a continous variable. Could you please give me ways to differentiate between discrete/continuous data and perhaps list some possible examples.

From what I know, discrete numerical data is counted. E.g. number of people, number of cars, ENTER SCORE -,-.

Continuous numerical data is measured. E.g. (km), (time in mins), etc.

Help would be much appreciated!

[abcdqdxD]

I haven't actually learnt this yet (my school is doing graphs and relations first) but I'll have a go:

Discrete refers to data that can only take a certain number of values. In this case, ENTER score is discrete because it can only be 99.95, 99.90 (basically increments of 0.05), and cannot for instance, be 99.43. So because the ENTER score can only be in 0.05 increments, it has fixed values and is considered to be discrete data.

Continuous is basically the opposite of discrete. Whereas discrete can only take certain values, continuous can take any value. For instance, your height is continuous (i.e. you might be 1.81234m tall, you're very unlikely to be exactly 1.81m tall).

[Yacoubb]

Yeah I think that is a feasible explanation for the difference between numerical discrete and numerical continuous. Just spewing over the fact that I got it wrong! I should probably concentrate on that until my first SAC (univariate data). And how is Graphs and Relations going?

[Yacoubb]

Pretty much this.

Discrete means whole numbers, so really, it would mean: 5 people, 3 radios, 8 calculators. I mean, how often do you see half a calculator?

Continuous is something like: Persons height (175.98342532cm)

I think I just assumed that a particular decimal value was continuous (i.e. Enter Score). Oh well, I'll learn from that mistake and make sure NEVER to repeat it.

[abcdqdxD]

And how is Graphs and Relations going?

Pretty much a walk in the park

Discrete means whole numbers, so really, it would mean: 5 people, 3 radios, 8 calculators. I mean, how often do you see half a calculator?

I'm fairly sure Discrete data do not have to be whole numbers. It simply means there are a finite number of values. For example, your ATAR is not a whole number but is still discrete.

[KevinooBz]

Pretty much this.

Discrete means whole numbers, so really, it would mean: 5 people, 3 radios, 8 calculators. I mean, how often do you see half a calculator?

Continuous is something like: Persons height (175.98342532cm)

Your definition is still somewhat wrong lala1911. A type of data is discrete if there are only a finite number of values possible or if there is a space on the number line between each 2 possible values.