Types of Data

The following describes which term below?

When a characteristic can be placed into a defined group.

• quantitative variable

• categorical variable

• continuous variable

• sample variable

If you were to collect data consisting of height measurements of your classmates, would that data be discrete or continuous?

If you were to record the color of each of the dogs shown in the picture, would the resulting data be numerical or categorical? How do you know?

If you were to record the number of pets each students in the 8th grade has, how could you describe the resulting data?

• continuous, categorical

• continuous, numerical

• discrete, categorical

• discrete, numerical

Marc says that if he were to count the number of watermelons in each garden in his neighborhood, the data would be continuous because the sizes of the watermelons would vary. Why is he incorrect?

An example of numeric, continuous data would be...

• recording each classmate's favorite sport.

• the color of each family member's eyes.

• the number of cars each employee has.

• the weights of all the cats at the local shelter.

Why would the number of baskets made with a basketball (in a 30 second window) be discrete data and not continuous? How do you know?

Discrete variables are variables that can be recorded and described by ______________.

Which are examples of categorical data? Check all that apply.

• people's hair color

• each person's age in years

• the distance each person can run without stopping

• asking people whether or not they liked a particular food.

Danielle claims that reporting the distance each student drove in their car on vacation is continuous. However, Bella says the data is discrete because the number (of miles) can be counted. Who is correct? How do you know?