Which of the following typically describes quantitative data?

Quantitative data is defined by its nature of being numerical, representing counts or measurements that can be used to perform mathematical operations. This type of data allows for the application of various statistical techniques, such as calculating an average or determining a range. For instance, examples of quantitative data would include variables like height, weight, temperature, or the number of sales, which are all measured in numerical form and expressed in numbers.

In contrast, other options describe different forms of data. Descriptive categories pertain to qualitative data, capturing characteristics without numerical value. Textual descriptions also reflect qualitative data, emphasizing narrative forms rather than measurable amounts. Ordinal data classifications indicate a ranked order but do not provide precise numerical values, which limits analytical capabilities compared to raw quantitative forms. Therefore, the essential characteristic of quantitative data is its reliance on numerical measurement, making the answer pertaining to numerical measurements the correct one.