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    Question

    Which of the following statements correctly

    differentiates between continuous and categorical data?
    A Continuous data is always numeric, while categorical data is always non-numeric. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Continuous data represents distinct groups, while categorical data represents measurable quantities. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Continuous data can take on any value within a range, while categorical data represents categories or labels. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Categorical data can only be ordinal, while continuous data is always nominal. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E Continuous data is qualitative, while categorical data is quantitative. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The correct distinction between continuous and categorical data lies in their characteristics. Continuous data can take on an infinite number of values within a given range (such as height, weight, temperature) and is typically represented by numeric values. It can be measured and expressed with high precision. In contrast, categorical data is non-numeric and represents distinct categories or groups (such as gender, color, or product type). These categories can be nominal (no specific order, like color) or ordinal (with a defined order, like education level), but the defining trait is that they do not have the same range of values as continuous data. Option A (Continuous data is always numeric, while categorical data is always non-numeric) is partially true, but not all continuous data is numeric (e.g., continuous time data could be expressed in non-numeric units). Option B (Continuous data represents distinct groups, while categorical data represents measurable quantities) is incorrect because continuous data represents measurable quantities, not groups. Option D (Categorical data can only be ordinal, while continuous data is always nominal) is incorrect because categorical data can be both ordinal and nominal, while continuous data cannot be either. Option E (Continuous data is qualitative, while categorical data is quantitative) is incorrect because continuous data is quantitative, not qualitative.

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