Answer
The nominal scale uses numerical designations simply as a means of identification. The ordinal scale uses numerical designations to show order. The interval scale uses ordered numbers that have equal intervals between them. The ratio scale allows comparisons of two values.
Work Step by Step
The nominal scale uses numerical designations simply as a means of identification. Door Number 1, Door Number 2, and Door Number 3 could just as easily be called Door Q, Door B, and Door G.
The ordinal scale uses numerical designations to show order. You could identify your ice cream preference by assigning the number 1 to your favorite flavor, the number 2 to your second most favorite, and so forth. The numbers indicate an order, but nothing more.
The interval scale uses ordered numbers that have equal intervals between them. The Celsius temperature scale has even gradations for each degree of temperature. The problem with temperature scales is that, for example, a temperature of 12°C. is not twice as cold as a temperature of 6°C.
The ratio scale allows comparisons of two values. For example, an object weighing 12 pounds is twice as heavy as an object weighing 6 pounds. Additionally, a ratio scale has a true zero point. A food item that has 0 grams of fat has no fat. Compare this to the interval scale temperature example, where a temperature of 0°C. does not mean that there is no temperature. The zero point on the Celsius (interval) scale was arbitrarily chosen, unlike the zero point on measurements such as weight, mass, time, and other ratio scale measurements.
