Unit 14: Probability & Statistics
Probability gives us tools for predicting outcomes of random events, while statistics allows us to summarize and interpret real-world data. Together, these topics are used in science, business, medicine, and everyday decision-making.
This unit introduces the fundamentals of probability and statistics. You will learn to calculate probabilities, interpret data, analyze distributions, and understand measures of central tendency and variability. The goal is to learn how mathematics helps us understand uncertainty, randomness, and data.
Unit Goals
- Understand basic probability distributions (binomial, normal) and use them to model simple situations.
- Understand the basic concepts of probability and random events.
- Apply counting principles and combinatorics to determine the number of outcomes.
- Calculate probabilities for single and compound events
- Apply probability rules (addition and multiplication).
- Distinguish between independent vs. dependent events.
- Define and compute random variables and expected value.
- Calculate descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation).
- Explore common probability distributions, including binomial and normal.
- Develop skills for interpreting and communicating results of statistical analysis.
- Describe and compute measures of central tendency and variability (mean, median, mode, range, variance, standard deviation).
Lessons in Unit 14
- Introduction to Probability
- Counting Principles and Combinatorics
- Probability Rules (addition, multiplication)
- Independent and Dependent Events
- Random Variables and Expected Value
- Descriptive Statistics (mean, median, mode, range, vce, standard deviation)
- Probability Distributions (binomial, normal)