What property does a height scale have if we can say one person is taller than another?

The property of a height scale that allows us to say one person is taller than another is the concept of magnitude. Magnitude refers to a measurable extent of size, allowing comparisons of how much taller one individual is compared to another. In the context of height, a person who is 180 cm is quantitatively taller than someone who is 170 cm. This measurable aspect is essential for establishing relationships of greater than and less than, which is a fundamental characteristic in any kind of measurement that conveys quantity.

While ordinal scales can indicate an order (e.g., taller vs. shorter), they do not convey the actual difference in height between individuals, which is where magnitude comes into play. Magnitude captures the essence of not just the ranking but also the exact measurements that define those rankings, emphasizing the actual size differences rather than just the hierarchical position.