The variable 'number of US senators' is classified as discrete because it is countable and can be represented by whole numbers. Discrete variables are quantitative and can take specific values, unlike continuous variables that can have infinite possibilities. The document explains the nature of discrete variables with a focus on countable quantities.

1. Classify the following variable as nominal, ordinal, discrete or continuous and state why: number
of US Senators
Solution
Discrete: the values of the variable may be found by counting and can be assigned
numbers such as the number of U.S. Senators. Discrete is a quantitative variable because it is
countable and can be assigned values, such as numbers or height and weight or number for each
U.S. senators