Question

Classify the random variables below according to whether they are discrete or continuous.a. The time it takes for a light bulb to burn out.b. The number of fish caught during a fishing tournament.c. The number of statistics students now reading a book.d. The number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer.e. The height of a randomly selected giraffe.

Answer 1

Discrete(b,c and d)

Continuous (a and e)

Explanation:

Discrete

Discrete Random variables are variables that can only take on integer values. Therefore the following are discrete variables.

b. The number of fish caught during a fishing tournament. e.g. 6 fishes

c. The number of statistics students now reading a book. e.g. 12 Students

d. The number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer. e.g. 9 Authors

Continuous

Continuous random variables can take on an uncountable number of values.

a. The time it takes for a light bulb to burn out. e.g.178.897 seconds

e. The height of a randomly selected giraffe. e,g 16.67 feet