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Variable Type Sorter

An interactive quiz game that tests your ability to classify variables into their correct types: Continuous, Discrete, Ordinal, or Nominal.

Run the Variable Type Sorter MicroSim in Full Screen Edit the Variable Type Sorter MicroSim using the p5.js Editor

How to Play

  1. Read the variable description shown in the box
  2. Click one of the four buttons to classify the variable:
    • Continuous (blue): Numerical data that can be any value including decimals
    • Discrete (purple): Numerical data that can only be whole numbers
    • Ordinal (green): Categorical data with a meaningful order
    • Nominal (orange): Categorical data with no inherent order
  3. Get 10 correct answers to complete the Side Quest!

Game Features

  • Score Tracking: Your score is displayed in the upper right corner
  • Celebration Animation: Colorful particles burst when you answer correctly
  • Helpful Hints: If you answer incorrectly, you'll see a hint to help you understand
  • Side Quest Complete: Answer all 10 questions correctly to earn +100 Data Scientist Health Points!

Learning Objectives

After playing this game, students should be able to:

  1. Distinguish between numerical and categorical data
  2. Identify continuous vs discrete numerical variables
  3. Recognize ordinal vs nominal categorical variables
  4. Apply the decision tree logic for classifying any variable

The Four Variable Types

Type Category Description Examples
Continuous Numerical Can take any value including decimals Height, Weight, Temperature
Discrete Numerical Can only be whole numbers Number of children, Cars owned
Ordinal Categorical Has a meaningful order or ranking Grade levels, Satisfaction ratings
Nominal Categorical No inherent order between categories Eye color, Blood type, Country