Which variation tends to repeat on a yearly basis?

Which variation tends to repeat on a yearly basis?

• A. Secular trend
• B. Seasonal variation
• C. Irregular variation
• D. Cyclical variation

Answer: (B)

Seasonal variation refers to patterns that repeat at regular calendar intervals within a year. This is exactly what “tends to repeat on a yearly basis” describes: predictable, calendar-driven fluctuations such as higher retail demand in December, more travel in summer, or other yearly cycles tied to seasons and holidays. These patterns recur each year because they’re anchored to the calendar. In contrast, a secular trend is a long-term direction over many years, irregular variation is random and unpredictable, and cyclical variation involves longer-than-a-year fluctuations tied to economic or business cycles without a fixed yearly pattern.

Seasonal variation refers to patterns that repeat at regular calendar intervals within a year. This is exactly what “tends to repeat on a yearly basis” describes: predictable, calendar-driven fluctuations such as higher retail demand in December, more travel in summer, or other yearly cycles tied to seasons and holidays. These patterns recur each year because they’re anchored to the calendar. In contrast, a secular trend is a long-term direction over many years, irregular variation is random and unpredictable, and cyclical variation involves longer-than-a-year fluctuations tied to economic or business cycles without a fixed yearly pattern.