Which data type best describes sales figures?

The correct choice identifies sales figures as a quantitative and continuous data type. Sales figures represent numerical values that can vary greatly and can take on any value within a given range. This means that they are not just whole numbers; they can include cents and decimals, reflecting the fluidity and granularity commonly found in financial figures. Continuous data represents measurements that are not restricted to separate values, allowing for an infinite number of possible values within a range.

Quantitative data, in general, quantifies characteristics and is measurable. Sales figures specifically allow for calculations, comparisons, and statistical analysis, such as finding averages or trends over time. This characteristic aligns well with continuous data, showcasing the non-discrete nature of sales amounts.

In contrast, options related to qualitative data types, such as nominal or ordinal, do not apply here since they involve categories and rankings, rather than measurements. Discrete data refers to countable values, often whole numbers, which would be unsuitable for representing sales figures that can include any real number along a continuum. Thus, the classification of sales figures as quantitative and continuous is the most appropriate.