6.1-6.4 Directions Determine whether each of the following variables would best be modeled as continuous or discrete. a. Number of cars passing a certain patrolman during one working day b. Speed of a car (miles per hour) on a freeway
6.1-6.4 Directions Determine whether each of the following variables would best be modeled as continuous or discrete. a. Number of cars passing a certain patrolman during one working day b. Speed of a car (miles per hour) on a freeway
6.1-6.4 Directions Determine whether each of the following variables would best be modeled as continuous or discrete.
a. Number of cars passing a certain patrolman during one working day
b. Speed of a car (miles per hour) on a freeway
a.
Expert Solution
To determine
Determine if the number of cars passing a certain patrolman on a working day should be termed as a continuous variable or a discrete variable.
Answer to Problem 1SE
The number of cars passing a certain a patrolman on a working day is a discrete variable.
Explanation of Solution
Discrete variables are the numerical variables that are countable and take a finite value. Continuous variables on the other hand, are not countable at a point but, are measured in a range of values.
In the given case, variable is the number of cars that pass through a certain patrolman during one working day. It can take values such as 1, 2, 5, 10 and so on. Since the number of cars cannot be in decimal form and are countable, it is a discrete variable.
Therefore, the variable ‘Number of cars passing a certain a patrolman during one working day’ is a discrete variable.
b.
Expert Solution
To determine
Determine whether the speed of a car in miles per hour on a freeway should be considered a continuous variable or a discrete variable.
Answer to Problem 1SE
The speed of a car in miles per hour on a freeway is a continuous variable.
Explanation of Solution
As defined above, discrete variables are the numerical variables that is, they are countable and take finite integer value. On the other hand, continuous variables are not countable but are measurable, and are represented as a range of values.
So, the speed of the car measured in miles per hour can take values such as 220 miles per hour, 132.2 miles per hour and so on. Since the variable cannot be counted at a point, but can be measured and take a range of a values, therefore it is called a continuous variable.
Hence, the speed of a car (miles per hour) on a freeway is a continuous variable.
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Statistics for Business & Economics, Revised (MindTap Course List)
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