Which analytics type describes data to summarize what happened?

Which analytics type describes data to summarize what happened?

• A. Descriptive analytics
• B. Diagnostic analytics
• C. Predictive analytics
• D. Prescriptive analytics

Answer: (A)

Descriptive analytics focuses on summarizing historical data to show what happened. It uses past data to create simple summaries—totals, averages, counts, and trend lines—that give a clear snapshot of past performance. This is exactly about describing the results of previous activity, not explaining why it happened, forecasting the future, or prescribing actions. For example, a monthly report that shows total sales, average order value, and top-selling products tells you what happened in that period. The other analytics types go beyond description: diagnostic analytics explains why something happened by digging into details; predictive analytics estimates what might happen next; prescriptive analytics suggests actions to optimize outcomes. So describing data to summarize past events is descriptive analytics.

Descriptive analytics focuses on summarizing historical data to show what happened. It uses past data to create simple summaries—totals, averages, counts, and trend lines—that give a clear snapshot of past performance. This is exactly about describing the results of previous activity, not explaining why it happened, forecasting the future, or prescribing actions. For example, a monthly report that shows total sales, average order value, and top-selling products tells you what happened in that period. The other analytics types go beyond description: diagnostic analytics explains why something happened by digging into details; predictive analytics estimates what might happen next; prescriptive analytics suggests actions to optimize outcomes. So describing data to summarize past events is descriptive analytics.