data types

Data types can be categorised in multiple ways. Data types like nominal, ordinal, discrete, and continuous, are used in Mathematics in the Data unit. 

• Categorical data / qualitative data: information that can be sorted into distinct groups or categories, rather than being measured numerically

  • Nominal data: Categories without any inherent order, like "apple," "pear," or "banana". 

  • Ordinal data: Categories that have a meaningful order, such as "first," "second," or "third". 

• Numerical data / quantitative data: information expressed in numbers that can be measured or counted. This type of data allows for mathematical operations, like addition and subtraction, to be performed on its values. 

  • Discrete data: Whole numbers that can only take specific, distinct values, such as the number of siblings someone has (e.g., 2.5 siblings is not possible). 

  • Continuous data: Numbers that can take on any numerical value within a given range, like temperature (e.g., 25.5°C is possible).