Question

determine whether the value is a discrete random variable, continuous random variable, or not a random variable.
a. the amount of rain in city b during april
b. the number of light bulbs that burn out in the next week in a room with 10 bulbs
c. the eye color of people on commercial aircraft flights
d. the time it takes for a light bulb to burn out
e. the number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer
f. the time required to download a file from the internet
a. is the amount of rain in city b during april a discrete random variable, a continuous random variable, or not a random variable?
a. it is a continuous random variable.
b. it is a discrete random variable.
c. it is not a random variable.

Explanation:

A discrete random variable has a countable number of possible values. A continuous random variable can take on any value in an interval.

• a. The amount of rain: Rainfall can take any value within a range (e.g., 1.5 inches, 2.34 inches), so it is a continuous random variable.
• b. The number of light bulbs: The number of light - bulbs (e.g., 3, 5) is countable, so it is a discrete random variable.
• c. The eye color: Eye color is a categorical variable, not a numerical random variable (discrete or continuous).
• d. The time for a light bulb to burn out: Time can take any value within a range (e.g., 100.5 hours, 200.3 hours), so it is a continuous random variable.
• e. The number of textbook authors: The number of authors (e.g., 2, 3) is countable, so it is a discrete random variable.
• f. The time to download a file: Time can take any value within a range (e.g., 10.5 seconds, 20.3 seconds), so it is a continuous random variable.

Answer:

a. Continuous random variable
b. Discrete random variable
c. Not a random variable
d. Continuous random variable
e. Discrete random variable
f. Continuous random variable