Which statement best describes a continuous variable?

• A. It has values that can be given a magnitude by counting or measuring.
• B. It has labels but no magnitude.
• C. It is always an integer.
• D. It cannot be measured.

Answer: (A)

A continuous variable can take any value within a range, and its size is found by measurement rather than counting. Because you can measure with increasing precision, you can report values like 12.3, 12.34, or 12.345, not just whole numbers. The magnitude of a continuous variable comes from measurement, which is why this statement fits best.

This differs from variables that are described only by labels with no magnitude, or that must be whole numbers, or that cannot be measured. Those other ideas don’t describe how a continuous quantity is determined and reported.