What is Statistics?

Statistics is the science of:

 Collecting data
 Analyzing data
 Drawing conclusions from data
Statistics include numerical facts
and figures such as:
 The largest earthquake measured 9.2 on the Richter
scale.

 Men are at least 10 times more likely than women to

commit murder.

 One in every 8 South Africans is HIV positive.

 By the year 2020, there will be 15 people aged 65 and

over for every new baby born.
Why should we study statistics?

 We want to make sense of the world.

 We don’t want to be lied to.

 We want to be able to spot trends that help us make

good decisions.
 4 Main Themes:

I. Exploring data (compare graphs and numbers)

II. Sampling & Experimentation (collect data)

III. Anticipating Patterns (Probability and Simulation)

IV. Statistical Inference (Make conclusions)