Question:easy

Consider the following probability distributions. Which of the following are continuous probability distributions?
(A). Normal distribution
(B). Binomial distribution
(C). Poisson distribution
(D). Chi-square distribution
(E). F-distribution

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Remember that Binomial and Poisson distributions deal with integers and discrete counts of events, which immediately classifies them as discrete.
  • (B) and (C) only.
  • (A), (B) and (C) only.
  • (A), (D) and (E) only.
  • (D) and (E) only.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the discrete versus continuous divide.
A distribution is continuous when its random variable can take any value inside an interval, and discrete when the variable can only take separated, countable values such as whole numbers. This is the only property that needs to be checked here.
Step 2: Sort each named distribution by this rule.
Binomial distribution counts the number of successes out of a fixed number of trials, so its outcomes are whole numbers only, making it discrete. Poisson distribution counts the number of events occurring in a fixed interval, which is also always a whole number, so it is discrete as well.
Step 3: Confirm the continuous group.
Normal distribution models a variable that can take any real value on the number line. Chi-square distribution is built from sums of squares of continuous normal variables, and F-distribution is a ratio of two such Chi-square variables, so all three, A, D and E, are continuous, leaving B and C as the discrete pair.
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