Question

determine whether the value is a discrete random variable, continuous random variable, or not a random variable.
a. the number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer
b. the weight of a t - bone steak
c. the gender of college students
d. the time it takes for a light bulb to burn out
e. the height of a randomly selected giraffe
f. the number of statistics students now reading a book
a. is the number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer a discrete random variable, a continuous random variable, or not a random variable?
a. it is a discrete random variable.
b. it is a continuous random variable.
c. it is not a random variable.
b. is the weight of a t - bone steak 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.
c. is the gender of college students 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. The number of textbook authors now sitting at a computer:
• A discrete random variable takes on countable values. The number of authors is countable (e.g., 2, 5, 10), so it is a discrete random variable.
• b. The weight of a T - bone steak:
• A continuous random variable can take on any value within a range. Weight can be any value (e.g., 0.5 kg, 0.55 kg, 0.555 kg), so it is a continuous random variable.
• c. The gender of college students:
• Gender is a categorical variable (not numerical), so it is not a random variable.
• d. The time it takes for a light bulb to burn out:
• Time can take on any value within a range (e.g., 100.5 hours, 100.55 hours), so it is a continuous random variable.
• e. The height of a randomly selected giraffe:
• Height can take on any value within a range (e.g., 5.5 m, 5.55 m), so it is a continuous random variable.
• f. The number of statistics students now reading a book:
• The number of students is countable (e.g., 3, 7, 12), so it is a discrete random variable.

Answer:

a. A. It is a discrete random variable.
b. A. It is a continuous random variable.
c. C. It is not a random variable.
d. A. It is a continuous random variable.
e. A. It is a continuous random variable.
f. A. It is a discrete random variable.