Probability and statistics
Encyclopedia
See the separate articles on probability
or the article on statistics
. Statistical analysis often uses probability distribution
s, and the two topics are often studied together. However, probability theory
contains much that is of mostly mathematical
interest and not directly relevant to statistics. Moreover, many topics in statistics are independent of probability theory.
Probability
Probability is ordinarily used to describe an attitude of mind towards some proposition of whose truth we arenot certain. The proposition of interest is usually of the form "Will a specific event occur?" The attitude of mind is of the form "How certain are we that the event will occur?" The...
or the article on statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
. Statistical analysis often uses probability distribution
Probability distribution
In probability theory, a probability mass, probability density, or probability distribution is a function that describes the probability of a random variable taking certain values....
s, and the two topics are often studied together. However, probability theory
Probability theory
Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with analysis of random phenomena. The central objects of probability theory are random variables, stochastic processes, and events: mathematical abstractions of non-deterministic events or measured quantities that may either be single...
contains much that is of mostly mathematical
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
interest and not directly relevant to statistics. Moreover, many topics in statistics are independent of probability theory.
See also
- List of probability topics
- List of statistical topics
- Notation in probability and statistics