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Can the discrete variable be a negative number?

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2

$begingroup$

I read in a book "An Introduction to Statistical Concepts [3 ed.] p.8):

A numerical variable is a quantitative variable. Numerical variables can further be classified as either discrete or continuous. A discrete variable is defined as a variable that can only take on certain values. For example, the number of children in a family can only take on certain values. Many values are not possible, such as negative values (e.g., the Joneses cannot have −2 children) or decimal values (e.g., the Smiths cannot have 2.2 children). In contrast, a continuous variable is defined as a variable that can take on any value within a certain range given a precise enough measurement instrument.

Question: Does this mean that a discrete variable cannot be a negative number? If a discrete variable cannot be a negative number then please explain why?

distributions discrete-data

share|cite|improve this question

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  consider "$X_t$" is "number of goals scored in match $t$" and let $Y_t=X_t-X_{t-1}$. (i.e. the change in goals scored from the previous game). $Y_t$ is discrete but can clearly be negative.
  $endgroup$
  – Glen_b♦
  2 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

2

$begingroup$

I read in a book "An Introduction to Statistical Concepts [3 ed.] p.8):

A numerical variable is a quantitative variable. Numerical variables can further be classified as either discrete or continuous. A discrete variable is defined as a variable that can only take on certain values. For example, the number of children in a family can only take on certain values. Many values are not possible, such as negative values (e.g., the Joneses cannot have −2 children) or decimal values (e.g., the Smiths cannot have 2.2 children). In contrast, a continuous variable is defined as a variable that can take on any value within a certain range given a precise enough measurement instrument.

Question: Does this mean that a discrete variable cannot be a negative number? If a discrete variable cannot be a negative number then please explain why?

distributions discrete-data

share|cite|improve this question

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

$endgroup$

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  $begingroup$
  consider "$X_t$" is "number of goals scored in match $t$" and let $Y_t=X_t-X_{t-1}$. (i.e. the change in goals scored from the previous game). $Y_t$ is discrete but can clearly be negative.
  $endgroup$
  – Glen_b♦
  2 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

I read in a book "An Introduction to Statistical Concepts [3 ed.] p.8):

A numerical variable is a quantitative variable. Numerical variables can further be classified as either discrete or continuous. A discrete variable is defined as a variable that can only take on certain values. For example, the number of children in a family can only take on certain values. Many values are not possible, such as negative values (e.g., the Joneses cannot have −2 children) or decimal values (e.g., the Smiths cannot have 2.2 children). In contrast, a continuous variable is defined as a variable that can take on any value within a certain range given a precise enough measurement instrument.

Question: Does this mean that a discrete variable cannot be a negative number? If a discrete variable cannot be a negative number then please explain why?

distributions discrete-data

share|cite|improve this question

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

$endgroup$

share|cite|improve this question

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

share|cite|improve this question

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

edited 2 hours ago

Sycorax

42.1k12109207

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

asked 3 hours ago

vasili111vasili111

2241312

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

4

$begingroup$

Your intuition is correct -- a discrete variable can take on negative values.

The example is just an example: a person can't have $-2$ children, but they can have $-2$ dollars (for example, if you write a bad check, or are in debt).

Discrete variables with negative values exist all over the place. Two prominent examples:

• Rademacher distribution


• Skellam distribution

share|cite|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

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4

$begingroup$

Your intuition is correct -- a discrete variable can take on negative values.

The example is just an example: a person can't have $-2$ children, but they can have $-2$ dollars (for example, if you write a bad check, or are in debt).

Discrete variables with negative values exist all over the place. Two prominent examples:

• Rademacher distribution


• Skellam distribution

share|cite|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

4

$begingroup$

Your intuition is correct -- a discrete variable can take on negative values.

The example is just an example: a person can't have $-2$ children, but they can have $-2$ dollars (for example, if you write a bad check, or are in debt).

Discrete variables with negative values exist all over the place. Two prominent examples:

• Rademacher distribution


• Skellam distribution

share|cite|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

$endgroup$

add a comment | 

$begingroup$

Your intuition is correct -- a discrete variable can take on negative values.

The example is just an example: a person can't have $-2$ children, but they can have $-2$ dollars (for example, if you write a bad check, or are in debt).

Discrete variables with negative values exist all over the place. Two prominent examples:

• Rademacher distribution


• Skellam distribution

share|cite|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

$endgroup$

share|cite|improve this answer

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207

answered 2 hours ago

SycoraxSycorax

42.1k12109207