Arrange the following scales of measurement from the simplest to the most…

Concept

Measurement scales form a hierarchy according to the mathematical properties that the recorded values support.

Nominal data classify observations; ordinal data add rank; interval data add equal differences; ratio data additionally have a true zero, so ratios are meaningful.

Application

1. Start with nominal, which only places observations into named categories.

2. Add ordering to obtain ordinal.

3. Add equal, interpretable intervals to obtain interval.

4. Add an absolute zero to obtain ratio, the richest of the four scales.

Cross-check

Each step retains the earlier scale’s properties and adds one new property: classification → rank → equal intervals → true zero.

Therefore, the order from simplest to most evolved is Nominal → Ordinal → Interval → Ratio.