What Time Series Meaning, Applications & Example
Data points collected or organized by time.
What is Time Series?
A Time Series is a sequence of data points collected or recorded at successive time intervals. It is used to track patterns, trends, and behaviors over time, allowing for the analysis of temporal data.
Importance of Time Series
- Trend Analysis: Helps identify long-term trends, seasonal patterns, or cycles in data.
- Forecasting: Time series data is essential for predicting future values based on historical patterns, such as stock prices, weather forecasts, or sales data.
Applications of Time Series
- Finance: Forecasting stock market trends and asset prices.
- Healthcare: Monitoring patient health over time, such as heart rate or blood pressure.
- Weather: Predicting future weather conditions based on historical data.
Example of Time Series
In sales forecasting, a company may analyze monthly sales data over several years. By examining past sales trends, seasonality, and fluctuations, the company can predict future sales performance and adjust marketing or inventory strategies accordingly.