American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which type of variable can change to any numeric value within a certain range?

1. Ordinal variable

2. Dichotomous variable

3. Continuous variable

4. Discrete variable

The correct answer is: Continuous variable

A continuous variable is characterized by its ability to take on any numeric value within a given range. This means that it can represent an infinite number of values, allowing for fractional or decimal points. For example, in a study measuring temperature, the continuous variable can include any value like 20.1 degrees, 20.2 degrees, and so on, representing a continuous scale. In contrast, ordinal variables represent categories with a specific order but do not quantify the distance between them. Dichotomous variables limit data to two possible outcomes (e.g., yes/no or true/false), and discrete variables, while they can take on numeric values, are restricted to specific, distinct values—usually whole numbers—like the number of people in a room or the count of items. The definition of a continuous variable emphasizes its flexibility in measurement, making it suitable for numerous applications in statistical analyses and real-world scenarios where precision is vital. This ability to fluctuate within a range makes continuous variables invaluable for capturing complex phenomena in various fields, including planning, economics, and the social sciences.