statistics

sta·tis·tics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction \stə-ˈtis-tiks\

Definition of STATISTICS

1

: a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data

2

: a collection of quantitative data

Origin of STATISTICS

German Statistik study of political facts and figures, from New Latin statisticus of politics, from Latin status state

First Known Use: 1770

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with STATISTICS

ballistics, ekistics, linguistics, logistics, patristics, stylistics

statistics

   (Concise Encyclopedia)

Branch of mathematics dealing with gathering, analyzing, and making inferences from data. Originally associated with government data (e.g., census data), the subject now has applications in all the sciences. Statistical tools not only summarize past data through such indicators as the mean (see mean, median, and mode) and the standard deviation but can predict future events using frequency distribution functions. Statistics provides ways to design efficient experiments that eliminate time-consuming trial and error. Double-blind tests for polls, intelligence and aptitude tests, and medical, biological, and industrial experiments all benefit from statistical methods and theories. The results of all of them serve as predictors of future performance, though reliability varies. See also estimation, hypothesis testing, least squares method, probability theory, regression.