True or False: Regression models can be used to predict continuous outcomes

Question

True or False: Regression models can be used to predict continuous outcomes

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Here we analyze the statement and the two answer choices to understand what regression models do.
Option 1: 'True' — Regression models can be used to predict continuous outcomes. This is a core use of regression in statistics and machine learning. Methods such as linear regression, polynomial regression, ridge/lasso regression, and more advanced techniques (e.g., elastic net, Gaussian process regression) are explicitly designed to map input features to a numeric, continuous target variable. The predicted values are numeric and can take on any value within a range depending on the model and data. This makes regression a natural tool for predicting quantities like height, price, temperature, or reaction time. 
Option 2: 'False' — This statement claims that regression models cannot predict continuous outcomes. This is inaccurate because the defining purpose of regression is to model and predict a continuous target variable. Saying regression cannot predict continuous outcomes contradicts the fundamental definition of regression analysis and ignores the wide range of regression techniques that are specifically designed for continuous targets. Misconceptions here might arise from confusing regression with classification (which predicts categorical outcomes) or from thinking regression only applies to simple models, when in fact it covers a broad family of methods capable of handling diverse continuous targets. 
In summary, the idea that regression models cannot predict continuous outcomes conflicts with both the foundational concept and practical applications of regression techniques, while the statement that they can predict continuous outcomes aligns with standard statistical practice. The contrast hinges on distinguishing regression (continuous targets) from classification (categorical targets) and recognizing the breadth of regression methods available for continuous prediction.

EPI 202 Week 4: Self Assessment: Linear Regression

True or False: Regression models can be used to predict continuous outcomes

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