1
> trees
   Girth Height Volume
1    8.3     70   10.3                   
2    8.6     65   10.3
3    8.8     63   10.2
4   10.5     72   16.4
5   10.7     81   18.8
6   10.8     83   19.7
7   11.0     66   15.6
8   11.0     75   18.2
9   11.1     80   22.6
10  11.2     75   19.9
11  11.3     79   24.2
12  11.4     76   21.0
13  11.4     76   21.4
14  11.7     69   21.3
15  12.0     75   19.1
16  12.9     74   22.2
17  12.9     85   33.8
18  13.3     86   27.4
19  13.7     71   25.7

I would like to know how to tell if each of my variables is discrete or continuous.

Firebug
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pidamarthy prashanth
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1 Answers1

1

All data are measured with finite precision, so all data is technically discrete (whether or not the process from which the data arise is discrete or continuous). However, a lot of data is precise enough to be modeled as continuous.

I would treat yours at continuous.

Michael Webb
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  • Your first line contradicts Stevens' original definition of measurement types. The definition does not rely on precision but on groups of transformations of the values that preserve meaningful relationships among them. – whuber Aug 26 '16 at 20:05
  • I should say, all data can be modeled as discrete. If a thermometer only measures temperature to 1/10 of a degree, then every 1/10 of a degree would be a value in a discrete variable. – Michael Webb Aug 26 '16 at 20:59
  • You can find Stevens' paper on the Web. It's worth reading. – whuber Aug 26 '16 at 21:40