Ratio scale

Definition

A ratio scale is a level of measurement where both differences and ratios between values are meaningful, and there is a true zero point. Examples include weight, height, and time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ratio scales have an absolute zero point which means that zero indicates the absence of the quantity being measured.
2. Both addition/subtraction and multiplication/division operations are meaningful on ratio scales.
3. Data on a ratio scale can be used to calculate measures such as mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation.
4. Common examples of ratio scale measurements include length, temperature in Kelvin, and duration.
5. Ratio scales allow for the full range of statistical operations including geometric mean and coefficient of variation.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes a ratio scale from an interval scale?
• Give two examples of measurements that use a ratio scale.
• Why is it possible to perform multiplication and division operations on ratio scale data?

Related terms

Nominal Scale: A level of measurement used for labeling variables without any quantitative value.

Ordinal Scale: A scale of measurement where data can be ordered but differences between data points cannot be determined or are meaningless.

Interval Scale: $\text{A scale of measurement where the difference}$ $\text{between values is meaningful but there is no true zero point.}$