Quantitative variables can be further classified into two groups: discrete and continuous.
Discrete variables assume values that can be counted.
Example(s): the number of children in a family, the number of students in a classroom, and the number of calls received by a call center each day for a month.
Continuous Variable can assume an infinite number of values between any two specific values. They are obtained by measuring. They often include fractions and decimals.
Example(s): Temperature, for example, is a continuous variable, since the variable can assume an infinite number of values between any two given temperatures
Take away:
Discrete = counted
Continuous = measured