discrete

Everyday

1. Separate and distinct; made of parts that are clearly apart from each other. tree →
2. (maths) Discrete data can only take certain values, usually whole numbers that you count, like the number of pets. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and statistics, discrete data are counted (shoes, goals, children) while continuous data are measured (height, time); in science, discrete steps or parts; phrases: «discrete data», «discrete steps», «discrete parts».

Examples

• The number of goals in a match is discrete data. tree →
• Height is continuous, but the number of children in a class is discrete. tree →
• The project has three discrete stages. tree →
• Shoe sizes are discrete: you cannot buy size 4.37. tree →
• The tablet split the job into discrete tasks. tree →
• Draw a bar chart with gaps for discrete data. tree →
• The puzzle had discrete pieces that fitted together. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «discrete» (separate) vs «discreet» (careful, tactful). Tip: in «discrete» the «t» separates the two «e»s, just as the word means separate. Maths: discrete values are countable, usually whole numbers; bar charts for discrete data have gaps.