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Statistics Notation
a b n p q r s t x y z E F H P
Notation is an important part of communication in mathematics. Using the correct notation for
statistical concepts is essential. BE CAREFUL! In statistics, unlike algebra, you are NOT free
to substitute another letter in place of standard notation. Each of the above letters has a specific
meaning in statistics. Also remember that “hats” and “bars” change those meanings. For
example,
y
y ˆ
, and
y
each have a very different meaning. Also, capitalizing a letter can
change its meaning.
First Semester Concepts:
- Identify the letter used for the mean of a population.
- Identify the letter used for the mean of a sample.
- Identify the letter used for the standard deviation of a population.
- Identify the letter used for the standard deviation of a sample.
- Explain the difference between
2
x
and
i
x
- Identify the letter that represents the standard normal variable.
- Which letter represents the slope of the least-squares regression line?
- Which letter represents the y-intercept of the least-squares regression line?
9. Explain the difference between y ,
y , and y.
- Explain the difference between
2
y
and
2
y ˆ
- Identify the letter used for correlation.
- Which letters are most commonly used for random variables?
- Explain the difference between the variables x and X.
- Identify the letter that represents the number of observations in a sample.
- Identify the letter used for the probability of an event.
Statistics Notation
a b n p q r s t x y z E F H P
Notation is an important part of communication in mathematics. Using the correct notation for
statistical concepts is essential. BE CAREFUL! In statistics, unlike algebra, you are NOT free
to substitute another letter in place of standard notation. Each of the above letters has a specific
meaning in statistics. Also remember that “hats” and “bars” change those meanings. For
example,
y
y ˆ
, and
y
each have a very different meaning. Also, capitalizing a letter can
change its meaning.
First Semester Concepts:
- Identify the letter used for the mean of a population.
2. Identify the letter used for the mean of a sample. x
3. Identify the letter used for the standard deviation of a population.
- Identify the letter used for the standard deviation of a sample.
s
- Explain the difference between
2
x
and
i
x
2
x
represents the second observed x - value, while
i
x
represents all possible x - values.
6. Identify the letter that represents the standard normal variable. z
- Which letter represents the slope of the least-squares regression line?
b
8. Which letter represents the y-intercept of the least-squares regression line? a
- Explain the difference between
y
y ˆ
, and
y
y represents the observed y - values,
y represents the predicted y - values, and y
represents the average y - value
- Explain the difference between
2
y and
2
y.
2
y represents the second observed y - value,
2
y represents the second predicted y - value
11. Identify the letter used for correlation. r
12. Which letters are most commonly used for random variables? X and Y
- Explain the difference between the variables x and X.
X is a random variable and x is not
- Identify the letter that represents the number of observations in a sample.
n
15. Identify the letter used for the probability of an event. P
np
- nq ˆ
0
np
0
nq
pq
n
0 0
p q
n
pq
z
n
pq
p z
n
0
0 0
p p
p q
n
AP Statistics Name:
Notation Quiz Date: Pd:
1. _______
nq
- _______ p ˆ
3. _______
pq
z
n
4. _______
A
H
- _______ p
- _______ p value
7. _______ N
- _______ z
9. _______
0
np
- _______ z *
11. _______
pq
p z
n
12. _______
0
nq
- _______ z *
14. _______
0
H
15. _______
pq ˆ ˆ
n
- _______ n
17. _______
0
0 0
p p
p q
n
18. _______
0
p
19. _______
np
20. _______
0 0
p q
n
A. Null hypothesis
B. Alternative hypothesis
C. Population parameter
D. Probability of obtaining a sample value at least as
extreme as the one observed, assuming that the null
hypothesis is true
E. Upper-p critical value
F. Lower-p critical value
G. Parameter used in the null hypothesis
H. Sample statistic
I. Standard Normal value
J. Sample size
K. Population size
L. One-proportion z-intereval
M. Number of successes observed in the sample
N. Number of failures observed in the sample
O. Expected number of successes in the sample
P. Expected number of failures in the sample
Q. Standard error of the sample proportion
R. Standard deviation of the parameter in a one-
proportion z-test
S. Margin of error
T. Z-value in a one-proportion z-test
