Question

State whether each of the following random variables is discrete or continuous: a. The number of defective tires on a car b. The body temperature of a hospital patient c. The number of pages in a book d. The number of draws (with replacement) from a deck of cards until a heart is selected e. The lifetime of a light bulb

Short answer

a. Discrete, b. Continuous, c. Discrete, d. Discrete, e. Continuous

Step-by-step solution

Identify discrete variables

A variable is classified as discrete if its possible values are countable, i.e they can be enumerated. Examples a, c, d fall into this category. The number of defective tires on a car, the number of pages in a book and the number of draws from a deck of cards until a heart is selected - all consist of countable values.

Identify continuous variables

Continuous random variables can take any numerical value within a certain interval or range, and often represent measurements. Examples b and e are of this type. The body temperature of a hospital patient can take any value within a certain range, and similarly, the lifetime of a light bulb is measured on a continuous scale.