Question

Joe went to watch the Quakes play baseball at Epicenter stadium in Rancho Cucamonga. While he enjoyed the game, he also purchased some food. Consider whether some of the things he saw or did at the game that involve discrete or continuous variables. Which of the following is a true statement? Check all that apply. The batting average of Joe’s favorite player is a continuous variable. The number of hot dogs that Joe bought is a discrete variable. The number of strikeouts in the game is a continuous variable. The Quakes standings in the league is a discrete variable.

Answer 1

a) True

b) True

c) False

d) True

Explanation:

A discrete variable is the one where the values taken by it are possible to count (usually the values are natural numbers)

On the other side, a continuous variable is the one that has an uncountable number of values. (usually the values are real numbers)

Considering these definitions we get:

a)The batting average of Joe’s favorite player is a continuous variable: True, this average can take any number among the real numbers.

b) The number of hot dogs that Joe bought is a discrete variable: True, Joe can only buy 1, 2, 3, 4... hot dogs, this set is countable and therefore is a discrete variable.

c) The number of strikeouts in the game is a continuous variable: False, the strikeouts are natural numbers (1, 2, 3, 4...) and therefore are countable and they are a discrete variable.

d) The Quakes standings in the league is a discrete variable: True. The standing of a team in a league is a discrete variable since it can be 1st place, 2nd place... and therefore it's countable.