Which characteristic indicates that a variable is discrete?

The characteristic that indicates a variable is discrete is that it can be categorized into groups without intermediate values. Discrete variables are those that can take on a countable number of distinct values, often representing items or categories that cannot be subdivided further. For example, the number of students in a classroom is a discrete variable because you cannot have a fraction of a student; it can only take whole number values like 20, 21, or 22, but not 20.5.

In contrast, continuous variables are those that can take on any value within a given range, including fractions and decimals. This distinction is crucial in statistics, as it affects how data are analyzed and interpreted. Understanding that discrete variables cannot take on values between defined categories helps in various statistical applications and in choosing the appropriate statistical techniques for analysis.