Preface

Customization

Statistics is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) license, which means that you can distribute, remix, and build upon the content, as long as you provide attribution to OpenStax and its content contributors.

Because our books are openly licensed, you are free to use the entire book or pick and choose the sections that are most relevant to the needs of your students. Feel free to remix the content by assigning your students certain chapters and sections in your syllabus, in the order that you prefer. You can even provide a direct link in your syllabus or student assignment system to the sections in the web view of your book.

Instructors also have the option of creating a customized version of their OpenStax book. The custom version can be made available to students in low-cost print or digital form through their campus bookstore. Visit the Instructor Resources section of your book page on openstax.org for more information.

Art Attribution in Statistics

In Statistics, most art contains attribution to its title, creator or rights holder, host platform, and license within the caption. For art that is openly licensed, anyone may reuse the art as long as they provide the same attribution to its original source. Some art has been provided through permissions and should only be used with the attribution or limitations provided in the credit.

Errata

All OpenStax textbooks undergo a rigorous review process. However, like any professional-grade textbook, errors sometimes occur. The good part is, since our books are web-based, we can make updates periodically. If you have a correction to suggest, submit it through our errata reporting tool. We will review your suggestion and make necessary changes.

Format

You can access this textbook for free in web view or PDF through openstax.org, and for a low cost in print.

Coverage and Scope

Statistics presents the appropriate statistical concepts and skills in a logical and engaging progression that should be familiar to faculty.

Chapter 1: Sampling and Data
Chapter 2: Descriptive Statistics
Chapter 3: Probability Topics
Chapter 4: Discrete Random Variables
Chapter 5: Continuous Random Variables
Chapter 6: The Normal Distribution
Chapter 7: The Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 8: Confidence Intervals
Chapter 9: Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
Chapter 10: Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
Chapter 11: The Chi-Square Distribution
Chapter 12: Linear Regression and Correlation
Chapter 13: F Distribution and One-Way ANOVA

Flexibility

Like any OpenStax content, this textbook can be modified as needed for use by the instructor depending on the needs of the students in the course. Each set of materials created by OpenStax is organized into units and chapters and can be used like a traditional textbook as the entire syllabus for each course. The materials can also be accessed in smaller chunks for more focused use with a single student or an entire class. Instructors are welcome to download and assign the PDF version of the textbook through a learning management system or can use their LMS to link students to specific chapters and sections of the book relevant to the concept being studied. The entire textbook will be available during the fall of 2020 in an editable Google document, and until then instructors are welcome to copy and paste content from the textbook to modify as needed prior to instruction.

Student-Centered Focus

Statistics was developed with detailed and practical guidance from experienced high school teachers and curriculum experts. Their contributions helped create a resource that provides easy-to-follow explanations with ample opportunities for enrichment and practice. In addition to clear and grade-level appropriate main text coverage, the following features are meant to enhance student understanding of statistics concepts:

• Examples are placed strategically throughout the text to show students the step-by-step process of interpreting and solving statistical problems. To keep the text relevant for students, the examples are drawn from a broad spectrum of practical topics, including examples from academic life and learning, health and medicine, retail and business, and sports and entertainment.
• Try It practice problems immediately follow many examples and give students the opportunity to practice as they read the text. Like the Examples, the Try It problems are usually based on practical and familiar topics.
• Collaborative Exercises provide an in-class scenario for students to work together and learn from each other as they explore course concepts.
• Calculator Guidance shows students step-by-step instructions for input using the TI-83, 83+, 84, and 84+ calculators and helps them consider how to use these tools in their studies. The Technology Icon indicates where the use of a TI calculator or computer software is recommended.
• Practice, Homework, and Bringing It Together problems give the students problems at various degrees of difficulty while including real-world scenarios to engage students.

Statistics Labs

These innovative activities were developed by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean (both of De Anza College) and allow students to design, implement, and interpret statistical analyses. They are drawn from actual experiments and data-gathering processes and offer a unique hands-on and collaborative experience. Statistics Labs appear at the end of each chapter and begin with student learning outcomes, general estimates for time on task, and global implementation notes. Students are then provided with step-by-step guidance, including sample data tables and calculation prompts. This detailed assistance will help the students successfully apply statistics concepts and lay the groundwork for future collaborative or individual work.

Answers to Questions in the Book

Answers to Examples are provided directly below the question. Try It solutions are not provided. Students can find answers to odd-numbered Practice, Homework, and Bringing it Together questions at the end of each chapter, and all answers to Review Problems and Practice Test questions in Appendix A and B. Answers to even-numbered Practice, Homework, and Bringing it Together questions are provided only to instructors in the Instructor Answer Guide via the Instructor Resources page.

Student and Instructor Resources

We’ve compiled additional resources for both students and instructors, including Getting Started Guides, PowerPoint slides, and an instructor answer guide. Instructor resources require a verified instructor account, which you can apply for when you log in or create your account on OpenStax.org. Take advantage of these resources to supplement your OpenStax book.

Partner Resources

OpenStax Partners are our allies in the mission to make high-quality learning materials affordable and accessible to students and instructors everywhere. Their tools integrate seamlessly with our OpenStax titles at a low cost. To access the partner resources for your text, visit your book page on OpenStax.org.

Contributing Authors

Daniel Birmajer, Nazareth College
Bryan Blount, Kentucky Wesleyan College
Sheri Boyd, Rollins College
Matthew Einsohn, Prescott College
James Helmreich, Marist College
Lynette Kenyon, Collin County Community College
Sheldon Lee, Viterbo University
Jeff Taub, Maine Maritime Academy

Editorial Review Board

Linda Gann (6-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Boerne ISD) taught mathematics and statistics for over twenty-five years at Northside ISD, and currently serves as the 6-12 Mathematics Coordinator in Boerne ISD. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Radio Shack National Teacher Award, the HEB Teaching Excellence Award (State Finalist), and the AP Siemens Award. For many years, Linda worked for the College Board as a consultant for AP Calculus AB, BC, and Statistics, and as a reader for AP Statistics. She has also served as the co-chair for the College and Career Readiness Standards for Mathematics for all three writing phases. Her educational background consists of a B.S. in Mathematics from Illinois State University and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Texas, San Antonio. Additionally, she is nearing completion of her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary of Learning and Teaching from UTSA. She presently serves as president of the Alamo District Council of Teachers of Mathematics and scholarship chair for the Priest Holmes Foundation.

Wendy Martinez (Cedar Park High School) has been a teacher since 1994. She currently teaches PreAP Geometry and on-level Statistics at Cedar Park High School in Leander ISD. She has taught at Rouse High School, Lake Travis High School, and Pflugerville Middle School.

Alexander Teich (Rice University Graduate Student, Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics) has teaching experience back to 2004 and has taught math classes at Spring Woods High School, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He formerly sponsored the Spring Wood Chess Club, and has a wealth of varied practical experience outside the classroom.

Amanda Yowell (Pleasant Grove High School) earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Arkansas and worked in Financial Management. She teaches Mathematics classes at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, TX. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children.