Question

Determine whether the random variable is discrete or continuous. a. The number of statistics students now reading a book. b. The number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer. c. The exact time it takes to evaluate 27 plus 72. d. The number of free dash throw attempts before the first shot is made. e. The time it takes to fly from City Upper A to City Upper B. a. Is the number of statistics students now reading a book discrete or​ continuous?

Answer 1

Continuous random variables: c and e

Discrete random variables: a, b, d

Explanation:

We have to identify whether the random variable is discrete or continuous.

• A discrete variable is a variable whose value is obtained by counting.
• A continuous random variable X takes all values in a given interval of numbers.
• Thus, a continuous variable can have values in decimals but a discrete random variable cannot take values in decimals.

a. The number of statistics students now reading a book.

Discrete random variable since number of students cannot take decimal values.

b. The number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer.

Discrete random variable since number of textbooks cannot be expressed in decimals but counted.

c. The exact time it takes to evaluate 27 plus 72.

It is a continuous random variable as it may take all values within an interval of time.

d. The number of free dash throw attempts before the first shot is made.

It is a discrete random variable since the number of throws can always be whole number.

e. The time it takes to fly from City Upper A to City Upper B.

Time is a continuous random variable.