Hint
Classify the underlying quantity, not just the way a spreadsheet stores it. Identify whether the variable is a count, a measurement or a category and justify any ordering.
Worked solution
(a)
Mass is a measurement that varies continuously.
Answer: Continuous numerical.
Answer: Continuous numerical
(b)
The categories are ordered positions, not equal quantitative intervals.
Answer: Ordinal categorical.
Answer: Ordinal categorical
(c)
Duration is measured on a continuous scale.
Answer: Continuous numerical.
Answer: Continuous numerical
Maths4U indicative marking guidance
Maths4U indicative marking guidance, not an official mark scheme. Credit valid alternative reasoning and consequential working; do not award a reasoning mark for an unexplained final answer.
(a) · 2 marks
- 1 mark: Identify whether the variable is a count, a measurement or a category and justify any ordering.
- 1 mark: Obtain the stated result with the required sign, units and domain.
Alternative methods: Any complete mathematically valid method with the stated assumptions and equivalent result is acceptable.
Common error: A rounded measurement is still a measurement of a continuous quantity.
(b) · 2 marks
- 1 mark: Identify whether the variable is a count, a measurement or a category and justify any ordering.
- 1 mark: Obtain the stated result with the required sign, units and domain.
Alternative methods: Any complete mathematically valid method with the stated assumptions and equivalent result is acceptable.
Common error: A postcode is an identifier, not a meaningful quantity to average.
(c) · 2 marks
- 1 mark: Identify whether the variable is a count, a measurement or a category and justify any ordering.
- 1 mark: Obtain the stated result with the required sign, units and domain.
Alternative methods: Any complete mathematically valid method with the stated assumptions and equivalent result is acceptable.
Common error: A rounded measurement is still a measurement of a continuous quantity.
Total: 6 marks.