Physical characteristics can be classified as variables or attributes. Which pair correctly labels condition and number of rooms?
Correct Answer
A) Condition is an attribute; number of rooms is a variable
Variables can be reduced to a unit basis, such as size or number of rooms; attributes are qualitative, such as condition or quality of design.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option A is correct because condition is qualitative and is therefore an attribute, while number of rooms can be reduced to a unit basis and is therefore a variable. Size and number of rooms are standard examples of variables; condition and quality of design are standard examples of attributes.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Both condition and number of rooms are variables
Option B, both condition and number of rooms are variables, misclassifies condition. Condition is a qualitative judgment and cannot be reduced to a unit basis, so it is an attribute.
Option C: Condition is a variable; number of rooms is an attribute
Option C, condition is a variable and number of rooms is an attribute, reverses the two labels. Number of rooms is countable on a unit basis (a variable), and condition is qualitative (an attribute).
Option D: Both condition and number of rooms are attributes
Option D, both condition and number of rooms are attributes, misclassifies number of rooms. Rooms can be counted on a unit basis, which makes them a variable.
Variables vary by count
If you can count or measure it in units, it is a variable; if you have to judge it, it is an attribute.
How to use: Use this to sort any physical characteristic into variable or attribute on the exam.
Exam Tip
Ask whether the feature can be expressed as a number of units; if yes it is a variable, if it needs a quality rating it is an attribute.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Labeling condition as a variable because it can be given a rating number
- -Reversing the definitions of variables and attributes
- -Treating room count as a qualitative attribute
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests the distinction between variables and attributes as types of physical characteristics. Variables can be reduced to a unit basis, while attributes are qualitative. Classify each item: number of rooms can be counted, condition is a quality judgment.
Background Knowledge
Physical characteristics are classified as variables, which can be measured or counted on a unit basis such as square feet or rooms, or attributes, which are qualitative such as condition or quality of design. The distinction affects how adjustments are analyzed and expressed.
Real-World Application
When building a sales grid, an appraiser adjusts for gross living area on a per-square-foot basis (a variable) and separately rates condition as average or good (an attribute) based on observation and market evidence.
More Sales Comparison Questions
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Previous Question
Adjusted prices are $257,000, $256,200, $258,000, $259,000 and $262,200, with gross adjustments of 3.7%, 7.5%, 0.0%, 6.0% and 8.8%. Which sale is likely the best indicator?
Next Question
An appraiser finds one pair supporting a $12,000 adjustment and another supporting $19,000 for the same feature. The next step is: