What distinguishes the ratio level of measurement from others?

The ratio level of measurement is distinguished by its ability to allow a full range of mathematical operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This level of measurement provides a true zero point, which not only allows for the comparison of quantities but also enables the measurement of ratios. For instance, at the ratio level, one can say that an object measuring 10 units is twice as long as an object measuring 5 units since zero represents an absence of the quantity being measured.

In contrast, other measurement levels such as nominal and ordinal do not permit meaningful division or multiplication due to the lack of a true zero point or inherent order, respectively. For example, nominal data categorizes without a numerical relationship, and ordinal data provides order but lacks uniform intervals and does not support true mathematical operations like ratios.

The other choices highlight qualities that are not specific to the ratio level of measurement. Showing order pertains primarily to ordinal data, while using a grid of cells is more relevant to certain data structures rather than a measurement level. Additionally, stating that a measurement does not allow zero would indicate a nominal or ordinal measurement, which specifically lacks the characteristics that define the ratio level.