Thread: Discrete Random Variables

"Let Y denote the duration, to the nearest minute, of a total solar eclipse. Is Y a discrete random variable?"

This is one of my homework problems. There is no list of values to choose from. Can time be a discrete random variable and can it be discrete random variable if there are no values to choose from?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Breeegzkm

"Let Y denote the duration, to the nearest minute, of a total solar eclipse. Is Y a discrete random variable?"

The duration of a total eclipse can be calculated to better precision
than 1 minute for any location on the path of totality. So no.

But if you don't know where you are on the path it could well be regarded
as a RV. So the answer is yes.

This is one of my homework problems. There is no list of values to choose from. Can time be a discrete random variable and can it be discrete random variable if there are no values to choose from?

Thanks!

Life does not consist of a sequence of multiple choice questions.

RonL