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Types of Variables (Continuous and Discontinuous)

Types of Variables (Continuous and Discontinuous):

There are many different properties of variables and these properties are based on numerical values we assign them. If the numerical value able to divide in fractions so it may called as continuous variable. Such variable could take huge number of values or can say infinite values, for example age, temperature, income, test score and etc… The values that may be taken by these variables could be within a range or an infinite set in some cases.

On the other hand if a variable has a bounded number of different values and also not allowed to divide into fractions are called discontinuous variables. These variables are also known by discrete variable or categorical variable or classificatory variable. Such variables may further different due to its properties. If two values may only be allowed to assign a variable, that reflects the absence or presence of some property i.e. male/female and employed/unemployed. They are referred as dichotomous. Some other can be added categories like a demographic variable of religion or race. Such variables that can produce data and fit for categories are called discrete or categorical where only some specific values are possible. Let we assume a variable related to automobile, let say if we assigned a value for Honda = 5 and Chevrolet = 6 so no option if available for 5.5 because we cannot divide the value into fractions.

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