Question

Determine whether the data are from discrete data or continuous data set.

Smartphones Students in a statistics class record the exact lengths of times that they surreptitiously use their smartphones during class

Short answer

The time lengths of usage of smartphones during class by students are continuous data.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The length of time of smartphone usage is recorded for students in statistics class.

Discrete and continuous data

• Discrete data:

Data that takes distinct values and cannot be in decimals is called discrete data. It is countable. For example, the number of subjects in a course, the number of families living in a block, the number of digits in a code, etc.

• Continuous data:

Data that can take a decimal value and can vary across a range is called continuous data. For example, the amount of fuel in a car, the age of an individual, the percentage of Christians in the US, etc.

Classification of data

As the length of time that students spend using their phones in a class is uncountable, can be measured, and is different for different students, they form acontinuous data set.