American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

A variable that remains fixed over time, such as gender, is known as what?

1. Continuous variable

2. Qualitative variable

3. Ordinary variable

4. Dichotomous variable

The correct answer is: Dichotomous variable

A variable that remains fixed over time, such as gender, is categorized as a dichotomous variable. Dichotomous variables are those that have two distinct categories or levels. In the case of gender, this typically refers to male and female categories. The key feature of dichotomous variables is that they represent a binary choice, making them distinct from other types of variables. For example, continuous variables can take on any value within a range and can be measured and subdivided infinitely, like height or weight. Qualitative variables, on the other hand, reflect categorical data but may include more than two categories and do not imply a numeric value. Ordinary variable is not a standard term in statistics and does not accurately describe a defined category of variable types. Thus, the correct identification of a fixed variable like gender as a dichotomous variable is appropriate and highlights the nature of gender as it typically involves two primary classifications.