Which of the following are not discrete random variables?
small
large
Select one:
a. 3 only
b. All of them
c. 1 only
d. 2 only
e. 1 and 3 only
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: b. All of them
Explanation:
To understand this question, we first need to define discrete random variables and then analyze the given options: small and large, along with the mysterious numbered options (1, 2, 3).
1. What is a discrete random variable?
A discrete random variable is a type of variable that can take only specific, distinct values, typically countable numbers. For example, the number of heads in 10 coin tosses (0, 1, 2, …, 10) is a discrete random variable because it can only take whole number values.
Examples of discrete random variables:
- Number of students in a class.
- Number of cars in a parking lot.
- Number of goals scored in a game.
Discrete variables do not include values that are in between integers, such as 2.5 or √3.
2. Now consider the given options: “small” and “large”
The words “small” and “large” are qualitative or categorical descriptors, not numbers. They describe qualities or properties rather than measurable numerical values. These words are not variables in the statistical sense and definitely not random variables because:
- They cannot be measured numerically.
- They are not the result of a random experiment.
- They are not countable numeric outcomes.
So, neither “small” nor “large” can be discrete random variables because discrete random variables must be numerical and countable.
3. The answer options reference 1, 2, 3 – but these are not clearly defined in the question.
Despite that, the key clue is that the question is about which of the given options (“small” and “large”) are not discrete random variables. Since both are not discrete random variables, the correct response must be “All of them” — meaning both do not qualify as discrete random variables.
Final Answer:
b. All of them ✅
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