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Frequency, Frequency Tables, and Levels of Measurement Quiz

12 questions math Grades 9-12

The question sheet

Reveal any answer as you study
  1. What is the level of measurement for favorite foods or smartphone brand names?

    • Nominal scale
    • Interval scale
    • Ordinal scale
    • Ratio scale
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Nominal scale

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  2. Ranking the top five national parks from one to five is an example of which measurement level?

    • Ordinal scale
    • Ratio scale
    • Nominal scale
    • Interval scale
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Ordinal scale

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  3. Which level of measurement do Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales use?

    • Interval scale
    • Ratio scale
    • Ordinal scale
    • Nominal scale
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Interval scale

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  4. Which level of measurement has a true 0 point and allows ratios to be calculated?

    • Interval scale
    • Nominal scale
    • Ratio scale
    • Ordinal scale
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Ratio scale

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  5. How many levels of measurement can data be classified into?

    • Five
    • Two
    • Three
    • Four
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Four

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: The way a set of data is measured is called its level of measurement. Correct statistical procedures depend on a researcher being familiar with levels of measurement. Not every statistical operation can be used with every set of data. Data can be classified into four levels of measurement. They are as follows (from lowest to highest level):

  6. Which is the lowest level of measurement?

    • Ratio scale level
    • Nominal scale level
    • Ordinal scale level
    • Interval scale level
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Nominal scale level

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: The way a set of data is measured is called its level of measurement. Correct statistical procedures depend on a researcher being familiar with levels of measurement. Not every statistical operation can be used with every set of data. Data can be classified into four levels of measurement. They are as follows (from lowest to highest level):

    PDF page 37: • Nominal scale level

  7. Why can't nominal scale data be used in calculations?

    • The data are not ordered
    • There is a true zero
    • Differences can be measured
    • Ratios are meaningful
    Reveal answer

    Answer: The data are not ordered

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  8. For interval data, why is 80 °C NOT four times as hot as 20 °C?

    • Data cannot be ordered
    • No meaning to the 80:20 ratio
    • Differences cannot be measured
    • There is a true zero point
    Reveal answer

    Answer: No meaning to the 80:20 ratio

    Source evidence

    PDF page 37: Data that is measured using a nominal scale is qualitative (categorical). Categories, colors, names, labels, and favorite foods along with yes or no responses are examples of nominal level data. Nominal scale data are not ordered. For example, trying to classify people according to their favorite food does not make any sense. Putting pizza first and sushi second is not meaningful. Smartphone companies are another example of nominal scale data. The data are the names of the companies that make smartphones, but there is no agreed upon order of these brands, even though people may have personal preferences. Nominal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using an ordinal scale is similar to nominal scale data but there is a big difference. The ordinal scale data can be ordered. An example of ordinal scale data is a list of the top five national parks in the United States. The top five national parks in the United States can be ranked from one to five but we cannot measure differences between the data. Another example of using the ordinal scale is a cruise survey where the responses to questions about the cruise are excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. These responses are ordered from the most desired response to the least desired. But the differences between two pieces of data cannot be measured. Like the nominal scale data, ordinal scale data cannot be used in calculations. Data that is measured using the interval scale is similar to ordinal level data because it has a definite ordering but there is a difference between data. The differences between interval scale data can be measured though the data does not have a starting point. Temperature scales like Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) are measured by using the interval scale. In both temperature measurements, 40° is equal to 100° minus 60°. Differences make sense. But 0 degrees does not because, in both scales, 0 is not the absolute lowest temperature. Temperatures like –10 °F and –15 °C exist and are colder than 0. Interval level data can be used in calculations, but one type of comparison cannot be done. 80 °C is not four times as hot as 20 °C (nor is 80 °F four times as hot as 20 °F). There is no meaning to the ratio of 80 to 20 (or four to one). Data that is measured using the ratio scale takes care of the ratio problem and gives you the most information. Ratio scale data is like interval scale data, but it has a 0 point and ratios can be calculated. For example, four multiple choice statistics final exam scores are 80, 68, 20 and 92 (out of a possible 100 points). The exams are machine-graded. The data can be put in order from lowest to highest 20, 68, 80, 92. The differences between the data have meaning. The score 92 is more than the score 68 by 24 points. Ratios can be calculated. The smallest score is 0. So 80 is four times 20. The score of 80 is four times better than the score of 20.

  9. What is a relative frequency?

    • The total number of outcomes
    • Sum of all previous frequencies
    • Number of times a value occurs
    • Ratio of value's count to total outcomes
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Ratio of value's count to total outcomes

    Source evidence

    PDF page 38: A frequency is the number of times a value of the data occurs. According to Table 1.12, there are three students who work two hours, five students who work three hours, and so on. The sum of the values in the frequency column, 20, represents the total number of students included in the sample. A relative frequency is the ratio (fraction or proportion) of the number of times a value of the data occurs in the set of all outcomes to the total number of outcomes. To find the relative frequencies, divide each frequency by the total number of students in the sample, in this case, 20. Relative frequencies can be written as fractions, percents, or decimals.

  10. In the student work-hours data, how many students work three hours?

    • One
    • Six
    • Five
    • Three
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Five

    Source evidence

    PDF page 38: A frequency is the number of times a value of the data occurs. According to Table 1.12, there are three students who work two hours, five students who work three hours, and so on. The sum of the values in the frequency column, 20, represents the total number of students included in the sample. A relative frequency is the ratio (fraction or proportion) of the number of times a value of the data occurs in the set of all outcomes to the total number of outcomes. To find the relative frequencies, divide each frequency by the total number of students in the sample, in this case, 20. Relative frequencies can be written as fractions, percents, or decimals.

  11. In the student work-hours sample, what does the frequency column sum, 20, represent?

    • Number of distinct data values
    • Total number of students in the sample
    • Cumulative frequency
    • Highest data value
    Reveal answer

    Answer: Total number of students in the sample

    Source evidence

    PDF page 38: A frequency is the number of times a value of the data occurs. According to Table 1.12, there are three students who work two hours, five students who work three hours, and so on. The sum of the values in the frequency column, 20, represents the total number of students included in the sample. A relative frequency is the ratio (fraction or proportion) of the number of times a value of the data occurs in the set of all outcomes to the total number of outcomes. To find the relative frequencies, divide each frequency by the total number of students in the sample, in this case, 20. Relative frequencies can be written as fractions, percents, or decimals.

  12. For the soccer heights, what percentage of heights are less than 65.95 inches?

    • 23 percent
    • 15 percent
    • 40 percent
    • 8 percent
    Reveal answer

    Answer: 23 percent

    Source evidence

    PDF page 40: From Table 1.15, find the percentage of heights that are less than 65.95 inches.

    PDF page 40: Solution 1.15 If you look at the first, second, and third rows, the heights are all less than 65.95 inches. There are 5 + 3 + 15 = 23 23 players whose heights are less than 65.95 inches. The percentage of heights less than 65.95 inches is then 100 or 23 percent. This percentage is the cumulative relative frequency entry in the third row.

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