A Discrete System
A discrete system is a system with a countable number of states. It is characterized by state changes that occur abruptly at specific, discrete points in time. This is in contrast to continuous systems, where state variables change continuously over time.
Areas of application
- Engineering and Computer Science
- Physics and Astronomy
- Economics and Finance
- Social Sciences
- Management and Organization Studies
Example
An example of a discrete system is a digital watch that has a limited number of states (e.g., 12 hours, 30 minutes, etc.). When the hour hand reaches a specific point, the watch transitions abruptly to a new state (e.g., 1 o’clock).