What is numerical data?

Numerical data is data that is expressed with digits as opposed to letters or words. For example, the weight of a desk or the height of a building is numerical data.

Numerical data can be broken down into two different categories: discrete and continuous data. Discrete numerical data is data that has a finite ending or can be counted. By definition, it can only be certain values. For example, the number of pencils in a box represents discrete data.

Continuous numerical data, on the other hand, represents values with infinite possibilities, such as the weight of an elephant. An elephant could weigh any number of pounds. Continuous data is placed within reasonable ranges to make it measurable.