STATISTICS

Higher Concepts of Mathematics STATISTICS STATISTICS This chapter will cover the basic concepts of statistics. EO 1.1 STATE the definition of the following statistical terms: a. Mean b. Variance c. Mean variance EO 1.2 CALCULATE the mathematical mean of a given set of data. EO 1.3 CALCULATE the mathematical mean variance of a given set of data. EO 1.4 Given the data, CALCULATE the probability of an event. In almost every aspect of an operator’s work, there is a necessity for making decisions resulting in some significant action. Many of these decisions are made through past experience with other similar situations. One might say the operator has developed a method of intuitive inference: unconsciously exercising some principles of probability in conjunction with statistical inference following from observation, and arriving at decisions which have a high chance of resulting in expected outcomes. In other words, statistics is a method or technique which will enable us to approach a problem of determining a course of action in a systematic manner in order to reach the desired results. Mathematically, statistics is the collection of great masses of numerical information that is summarized and then analyzed for the purpose of making decisions; that is, the use of past information is used to predict future actions. In this chapter, we will look at some of the basic concepts and principles of statistics. Frequency Distribution When groups of numbers are organized, or ordered by some method, and put into tabular or graphic form, the result will show the "frequency distribution" of the data. Rev. 0 Page 1 MA-05