What is the purpose of time series analysis?

The purpose of time series analysis is fundamentally about examining data points that are ordered over time to uncover insightful patterns. By focusing on trends, cycles, and seasonal variations, time series analysis allows analysts to make informed predictions and decisions based on historical data. This process involves identifying long-term trends (how data behaves over extended periods), recognizing cycles (fluctuations that occur at regular intervals), and understanding seasonal patterns (variations that happen at specific times, such as monthly or quarterly changes).

This kind of analysis is crucial in various fields such as finance, economics, and sales forecasting, where understanding how data evolves over time can lead to better strategic planning and resource allocation. The other options, while related to data manipulation and analysis in a broader sense, do not capture the essence of time series analysis in terms of its primary focus on temporal data trends and patterns.