Mathematics As A Tool: at The End of The Fourth Module, You Must Have
Mathematics As A Tool: at The End of The Fourth Module, You Must Have
Mathematics As A Tool: at The End of The Fourth Module, You Must Have
Mathematics as a Tool
Definition of Statistics
In its plural sense, statistics is a set of numerical data.
In its singular sense, Statistics is the science of collecting, analyzing, presenting, and
interpreting data, as well as of making decisions based on such analyses.
Types of Statistics
Descriptive Statistics consists of methods for organizing, displaying, and describing data by
using tables, graphs, and summary measures.
Case Study 1-1: How Women Rate Their Lives Case Study 1-2: How Much Did Companies
Spend on Ads in 2011?
Inferential Statistics consists of methods that use sample results to help make decisions or
predictions about a population.
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Figure 1.1 Population and Sample
A survey that includes every member of the population is called a census. The technique
of collecting information from a portion of the population is called a sample survey.
A sample that represents the characteristics of the population as closely as possible is
called a representative sample.
Basic Terms
An element or member of a sample or population is a specific subject or object (for example,
a person, firm, item, state, or country) about which the information is collected.
A variable is a characteristic under study that assumes different values for different
elements. In contrast to a variable, the value of a constant is fixed.
The value of a variable for an element is called an observation or measurement.
A data set is a collection of observations on one or more variables.
A parameter refers to any numerical value describing a characteristic of a population and is
usually represented by Greek letters such as µ and σ.
The term statistic is used to refer to any numerical value describing a characteristic of a
sample. It is usually represented by lower case letters of the English alphabet, such as x and s.
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Types of Variables
Quantitative Variables
Discrete Variables
Continuous Variables
A variable that can be measured numerically is called a quantitative variable. The data
collected on a quantitative variable are called quantitative data.
A variable whose values are countable is called a discrete variable. In other words, a discrete
variable can assume only certain values with no intermediate values.
A variable that can assume any numerical value over a certain interval or intervals is called a
continuous variable.
Levels of Measurement
Sex (male, female), Marital Status (single, married, widowed), Type of stocks owned (growth,
value, other)
Product Satisfaction (very unsatisfied, fairly unsatisfied, neutral, very satisfied), Student
Classification (freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior)
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3. Interval Level
The interval level has the properties of the nominal and ordinal levels, and in
addition, the distances between any two numbers on the scale are known sizes.
An interval scale must have a common and constant unit of measurement.
Furthermore, the unit of measurement is arbitrary and there is no “true zero”
point.
Example:
4. Ratio Level
The ratio level of measurement contains all the properties of the interval level, in
addition, it has a “true zero” point.
Example:
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Republic of the Philippines
SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS
San Isidro, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte
1. gender
2. general point average
3. occupation
4. unemployment rate
5. Number of hours children watch television
6. Number of bicycles sold in 1 year by a large sporting goods store
7. Classification of children in a day-care center (infant, toddler, preschool)
8. The number of defective computers produced by a manufacturer.
9. The time needed to finish the test.
10. The number of dropout in a school district for a period of 10 years.
1. Ratings of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor for painting
exhibits.
2. Temperatures (in degrees Celsius) of a sample of restless demonstrators who are
against the government.
3. Colors of a sample of Binitin Shirts.
4. Cars described as compact, intermediate, or full-sized.
5. Ages of students in a classroom.
Example:
The average Amazon.com rating of the book The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to Statistics by 26 reviewers is 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5. (Descriptive
Statistics)
A study has concluded that the average credit card debt of college
graduates has increased from the year 20019 to 2020. (Inferential
Statistics)
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