Statistics involves collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to draw conclusions. Descriptive statistics summarize and describe data, while inferential statistics generalize from samples to populations through estimation, hypothesis testing, and prediction. The chapter introduces key concepts including variables, data, random variables, data sets, data values, populations, samples, descriptive statistics, probability, and inferential statistics. Students are assigned problems applying these statistical concepts.

1. Chapter 1 – The Nature of
Probability and Statistics

2. 1-1: Introduction
 Statistics: The science of conducting studies to
collect, organize, summarize, analyze and draw
conclusions from data.

3. 1-1: Introduction
Why do people study statistics?

4. 1-2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
 variable: a characteristic or attribute that can
assume different values
 data: the values (measurements or
observations) that the variables can assume
 random variables: variables whose values
are determined by chance

5. 1-2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
 Data Set: Collection of data values.
 Data Value or Datum: Each piece of
information in a set.

6. 1-2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics,
cont’d
 Descriptive Statistics: Consists of the
collection, organization, summarization, and
presentation of data.
 Probability: The chance of an event
occurring.
 Population: Consists of all subjects (human
or otherwise) that are being studied.

7. 1-2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics,
cont’d
 Sample: A group of subjects selected from a
population.
 Hypothesis Testing: An area of inferential
statistics which is a process for evaluating claims
about a population, based on information
obtained from samples.
 Inferential Statistics: Consists of generalizing
from samples to populations, performing
estimations and hypothesis tests, determining
relationships among variables, and making
predictions.

8. 1-2: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics,
cont’d
Assignment: p.5-6, Applying the Concepts, #1-6