Question 38

Feedings per day is a discrete variable.

Discrete variables are those that can take on a countable number of values. In this context, feedings per day can only be whole numbers (0, 1, 2, etc.), making it a clear example of a discrete variable.

A) Birth weight in kilograms

Birth weight is a continuous variable as it can take any value within a range and can be measured with decimal points, such as 3.5 kg or 4.2 kg. This variability means it is not countable in the same way that discrete variables are.

B) Consumption in milliliters

Consumption is also a continuous variable because it can take on any value, including fractions, such as 150.5 ml. This allows for an infinite number of possibilities within a given range, distinguishing it from discrete variables.

C) Time spent sleeping

Time spent sleeping is a continuous variable since it can be quantified in various ways, such as hours and minutes, and can include decimals (e.g., 7.5 hours). Thus, it does not qualify as discrete.

D) Feedings per day

Feedings per day is a discrete variable because it can only take on whole numbers. You cannot have a fraction of a feeding; it must be a complete count (e.g., 1, 2, 3 feedings), making it distinctly countable.

Conclusion

Feedings per day is definitively the correct answer as it is the only option that represents a discrete variable, characterized by whole number counts. In contrast, the other options (birth weight, consumption, and time spent sleeping) are all continuous, allowing for fractional values, which disqualifies them from being discrete.