Question

Determine whether the random variable is discrete or continuous. In each​ case, state the possible values of the random variable. ​(a) The number of hits to a Web site in a day. ​(b) The amount of rain in City Upper B during April. ​(a) Is the number of hits to a Web site in a day discrete or​ continuous?

Answer 1

a) So the number of hits to a website is a discrete value that can assume any natural value from greater or equal to 0.

b) So the amount of rain in City Upper B during April is a continuous(real set) value ranging from 0 to infinite.

Explanation:

Continuous:

Real numbers, can be integer, decimal, etc.

Discrete:

Only integer(countable values). So can be 0,1,2...

(a) The number of hits to a Web site in a day.

A website either has no hits, 1 hit, 2 hits, ..., that is, countable values.

So the number of hits to a website is a discrete value that can assume any natural value from greater or equal to 0.

​(b) The amount of rain in City Upper B during April.

No rain, 0 units

We can have, 1.5 inches, 20 inches(using inch as an example of unit), that is, real numbers.

There is no negative amount of rain.

So the amount of rain in City Upper B during April is a continuous(real set) value ranging from 0 to infinite.