What term is used for when classes are created based on ranges that are equal in size?

The term "Equal Interval" refers to a classification method used in geographic information systems (GIS) that divides the range of data values into a specified number of intervals of equal size. This approach ensures that each class covers the same numerical range, which can simplify the interpretation of data by creating uniform segments for comparison.

In GIS, this method is particularly useful when you want to highlight trends or patterns across a dataset while keeping the class intervals straightforward and easy to understand. For example, if environmental data like temperature is measured from 0 to 100 degrees, using an equal interval classification with five classes would create intervals such as 0-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, and 81-100. By using this method, each class contains an equal range of values, allowing for clearer representation and analysis of the data.

Other methods like Natural Breaks prioritize the grouping of similar values and may yield classes that vary significantly in their ranges, while Quantile focuses on distributing the data evenly across the number of classes regardless of their size. Discrete classification, on the other hand, often involves categorizing data into distinct groups rather than continuous ranges. Each of these methods serves different purposes depending on the data's characteristics