Absolute and Relative Absolute and Relative QuantitiesQuantities

There are two ways to measure There are two ways to measure numerical data—particularly if the numerical data—particularly if the goal is to measure the least and goal is to measure the least and greatest occurrence of some greatest occurrence of some quantifiable variable. quantifiable variable.

Absolute and Relative QuantitiesAbsolute and Relative Quantities

Absolute QuantitiesAbsolute Quantities

Is a measure of the absolute Is a measure of the absolute occurrence of the variable. It is a occurrence of the variable. It is a “sheer” number. It tells how many “sheer” number. It tells how many or how much or how much

Relative QuantitiesRelative Quantities is the absolute quantity divided by is the absolute quantity divided by

some other quantity. some other quantity.

Different types of Relative QuantitiesDifferent types of Relative Quantities

Fraction or Percent:Fraction or Percent: Fractions or percents are used when Fractions or percents are used when

comparing part to total of the same type comparing part to total of the same type of variable. (example: percent of adults of variable. (example: percent of adults with AIDS/HIV) Percents can also be with AIDS/HIV) Percents can also be used to show the relative change. used to show the relative change. Percent change is calculated by dividing Percent change is calculated by dividing the absolute change by the original the absolute change by the original amount.amount.

Rate:Rate: Rates are used compare different types of Rates are used compare different types of

variables (example: tickets per person, miles variables (example: tickets per person, miles per hour, or crimes per 1000 people)per hour, or crimes per 1000 people)

Ratio:Ratio: Ratios are used to compare the same type of Ratios are used to compare the same type of

variable from two sources. For example: variable from two sources. For example: California’s population is 33,872,000 and California’s population is 33,872,000 and Oregon’s population is 3,421,000. Clearly Oregon’s population is 3,421,000. Clearly CA’s population is larger but how many times CA’s population is larger but how many times larger? 33,872,000/3,421,000 = 9.90 larger? 33,872,000/3,421,000 = 9.90 Calculating the ratio of the populations tells Calculating the ratio of the populations tells us that CA’s population is almost 10 times as us that CA’s population is almost 10 times as large as OR’s population.large as OR’s population.