If Sue has three children and Bob has two children, the value representing the number of children in their family is considered this type of data.

If Sue has three children and Bob has two children, the value representing the number of children in their family is considered this type of data.

• A. Continuous data
• B. Nominal data
• C. Discrete data
• D. Ordinal data

Answer: (C)

Counting the number of children gives whole numbers that come in distinct steps (0, 1, 2, 3, …) with meaningful gaps between them. That makes it discrete data, since you can count and there’s no in-between value like 2.5 children. Continuous data would be measurements on a continuum (such as height or weight), where any value is possible. Nominal data are categories without inherent order, and ordinal data have a ranked order but unequal intervals. The count of children has a defined quantity with equal increments, so discrete data is the best fit.

Counting the number of children gives whole numbers that come in distinct steps (0, 1, 2, 3, …) with meaningful gaps between them. That makes it discrete data, since you can count and there’s no in-between value like 2.5 children. Continuous data would be measurements on a continuum (such as height or weight), where any value is possible. Nominal data are categories without inherent order, and ordinal data have a ranked order but unequal intervals. The count of children has a defined quantity with equal increments, so discrete data is the best fit.