DA0-002 Data Concepts and Environments Practice Question
A logistics company is analyzing truck delivery times. Which variable is discrete?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'recorded as an integer' with 'discrete'—for example, thinking distance in whole kilometers is discrete, when the underlying measurement scale is continuous.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Number of stops
A discrete variable is one that takes on a countable number of distinct values, often integers. The number of stops a truck makes is a count (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3) and cannot be a fraction, making it a classic discrete variable in data analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Number of stops
Why this is correct
Number of stops is discrete because it takes countable whole-number values with gaps between them; a truck cannot make 3.5 stops. Delivery time, by contrast, is continuous, so it can assume any value within a range.
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Time taken in hours
Why it's wrong here
Time taken is continuous: it can take any value within a range, including fractional hours, so it is measured rather than counted. It is tempting because delivery times are often recorded to the minute, but rounding does not make a variable discrete; it would be the correct classification for a count such as number of deliveries completed.
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Fuel consumption in liters
Why it's wrong here
Fuel consumption is continuous, taking any value on a scale including decimals such as 12.7 litres, so it is measured rather than counted. It is tempting because litres feel countable, but the unit does not determine the type; it would be discrete only if recorded as whole litres consumed per trip.
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Distance traveled
Why it's wrong here
Distance travelled is continuous, able to take any value within a range including fractional kilometres, so it is measured rather than counted. It is tempting because odometers display whole numbers, but that is rounding; distance would be discrete only if categorised into fixed bands such as short, medium and long routes.
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This DA0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DA0-002 exam.