Can the discrete variable be a negative number?












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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







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  • 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


















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











$endgroup$








  • 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
















2












2








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











$endgroup$




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




distributions discrete-data






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share|cite|improve this question













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edited 2 hours ago









Sycorax

42.1k12109207




42.1k12109207










asked 3 hours ago









vasili111vasili111

2241312




2241312








  • 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
















  • 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










1




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






$begingroup$
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












1 Answer
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oldest

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$begingroup$

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









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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









    $endgroup$


















      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









      $endgroup$
















        4












        4








        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









        $endgroup$



        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












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered 2 hours ago









        SycoraxSycorax

        42.1k12109207




        42.1k12109207






























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