Solved on Feb 27, 2024
Determine if the data describing the number of murders in different cities in a year are discrete or continuous, and explain why.
STEP 1
Assumptions
1. The data in question are the numbers of murders in different cities in a certain year.
2. Discrete data can only take on specific, separate values.
3. Continuous data can take on any value within a given range or interval.
STEP 2
Understand the nature of the data regarding the numbers of murders.
1. The number of murders in a city is a count of occurrences.
2. These occurrences are distinct and separate events that can be counted.
STEP 3
Determine if the data can take on any value within an interval or only specific values.
1. The number of murders must be a whole number; you cannot have a fraction of a murder.
2. This means the data can only take on specific, separate values (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3, ...).
STEP 4
Based on the characteristics of discrete and continuous data, decide which category the data fall into.
1. Since the data can only take on specific values and cannot be fractional or decimal, the data are not continuous.
2. The data are discrete because they consist of separate, distinct values.
STEP 5
Choose the correct answer based on the analysis.
The correct answer is D. The data are discrete because the data can only take on specific values.
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