National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

What type of data is classified as discrete data?

1. Continuous variable

2. Quantitative variable

3. Numeric variable

4. Categorical variable

The correct answer is: Numeric variable

Discrete data is characterized by values that can only take specific, separate values, often counted in whole numbers. This type of data arises when dealing with distinct, countable items. For example, the number of patients in a dental office or the number of teeth in an adult are examples of discrete data because these quantities cannot be fractional; one cannot have half a patient or a fraction of a tooth. Numeric variables can encompass both discrete and continuous data, as they represent quantifiable values, not differentiating between the types of data they represent. Continuous variables specifically can take on any value within a given range and are usually measured rather than counted, making them distinct from discrete data. Categorical data, on the other hand, refers to data that can be divided into groups or categories, rather than being numerical. Thus, the classification of discrete data rests primarily with numeric variables that represent distinct, separate units, making it the appropriate answer in understanding the nuances of data types.