Question

variable
(a) the score (either 0, 1, 2, or 3 with 0 being the worst and 3 being the best) given by a quality - control manager after an equipment inspection
(b) in a reaction time study involving 12 participants, the number of participants whose average time is between 400 and 600 milliseconds
(c) the height of a fifth - grade boy
(d) the number of tickets purchased by a caller on a rose bowl ticket hotline
discrete
continuous

Explanation:

• (a) The score (either 0, 1, 2, or 3) is a discrete variable. Discrete variables have a countable number of possible values. Here, the values are distinct and separate (0,1,2,3).
• (b) The number of participants (out of 12) whose average reaction time is between 400 - 600 milliseconds is a discrete variable. We can count the number of such participants (it can be 0,1,2,...,12).
• (c) The height of a fifth - grade boy is a continuous variable. Height can take any value within a certain range (e.g., 120.5 cm, 130.23 cm etc.) and is not restricted to only whole number values.
• (d) The number of tickets purchased by a caller on a Rose Bowl ticket hotline is a discrete variable. We can count the number of tickets (0,1,2,...).

Answer:

(a) Discrete; (b) Discrete; (c) Continuous; (d) Discrete