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 CaSQ 3B - Numerical Data: What’s The Difference Between Discrete and Continuous?
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Data
Data can be classified into two different types. |
Categorical
Values or observations that can be sorted into groups or categories.
Bar charts and pie graphs are used to graph categorical data. | Numerical
Values or observations that can be measured. And these numbers can be placed in ascending or descending order. Scatter plots and line graphs are used to graph numerical data. |
Nominal
Values or observations can be assigned a code in the form of a number where the numbers are simply labels. You can count but not order or measure nominal data. Examples: Sex, and eye colour. | Ordinal
Values or observations can be ranked (put in order) or have a rating scale attached. You can count and order, but not measure, ordinal data. Example: house numbers and swimming level. | Discrete
Values or observations that is counted as distinct and separate and can only take particular values. Examples: the number of kittens in a litter; number of threads in a sheet, number of stars given for an energy rating. | Continuous
You can measure continuous data. Values or observations may take on any value within a finite or infinite interval. Examples: height, time and temperature. |
Task:
1. Place a ‘D’ for ‘discrete’ or ‘C’ for ‘continuous’ next to each of the following topics of questions from the CensusAtSchool online questionnaire
_______ Arm span
_______ How much money did you earn last week?
_______ Concentration exercise (seconds)
_______ Dominant hand reaction time
2. Write down four examples of discrete data.
1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
3. A CensusAtSchool question asks you to select a value between 1 and 1000 on the importance of various social and environmental issues. Decide whether this data would be discrete or continuous, and give reasons for your decision.
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This page last updated 12 February 2013 | 
