Statistics Questions and Answers
1. 1. What is statistics?
Statistics is the science which deals with the collection, classification and tabulation of
numerical facts as the basis for explanation, description and comparison of phenomena.
2. 2. Define statistics in singular and plural sense.
Statistics in singular sense refers to the discipline or science of statistics which includes
collection, classification, tabulation, presentation, analysis and interpretation of data.
Statistics in plural sense refers to statistical data or numerical facts collected for a specific
purpose.
3. 3. Define frequency.
The number of times a particular value appears in a data set is called frequency.
4. 4. What is a variable?
A variable is a characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or quantified.
5. 5. Differentiate between discrete and continuous variable.
Discrete variable: Takes only specific, distinct values (e.g., number of students).
Continuous variable: Can take any value within a given range (e.g., height, weight).
6. 6. What are the types of data?
Types of data include: Qualitative (categorical) data and Quantitative (numerical) data.
7. 7. Define classification.
Classification is the process of arranging data into groups or classes on the basis of common
characteristics.
8. 8. What is a class interval?
A class interval is a group into which data is divided in a frequency distribution.
9. 9. What is a mid-value or class mark?
Mid-value or class mark is the average of the upper and lower limits of a class interval.
10. 10. What is class boundary?
Class boundaries are the actual limits of the class intervals.
11. 11. What is inclusive and exclusive class interval?
Inclusive class interval: Both lower and upper limits are included.
Exclusive class interval: Lower limit is included but upper limit is excluded.
12. 12. Define tabulation.
Tabulation is the process of presenting data in a tabular form.
13. 13. Mention types of tabulation.
Types of tabulation: Simple tabulation and complex tabulation.
14. 14. Define central tendency.
Central tendency refers to a central value or a typical value for a probability distribution.
15. 15. Mention the different measures of central tendency.
Measures: Mean, Median, Mode.
16. 16. Define mean.
Mean is the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
17. 17. Define median.
Median is the middle value of a data set when it is arranged in ascending or descending
order.
18. 18. Define mode.
Mode is the value that occurs most frequently in a data set.
19. 19. What is dispersion?
Dispersion is the extent to which values in a data set are spread out or scattered.
20. 20. Define standard deviation.
Standard deviation is the square root of the average of the squared deviations from the
mean.
21. 21. Define co-efficient of variation.
It is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, expressed as a percentage.
22. 22. Define probability.
Probability is a measure of the likelihood of an event occurring.
23. 23. Define correlation.
Correlation is a statistical measure that indicates the extent to which two or more variables
fluctuate together.
24. 24. Define regression.
Regression is a statistical method used to examine the relationship between one dependent
variable and one or more independent variables.
25. 25. Mention the types of correlation.
Types: Positive correlation, Negative correlation, No correlation.
26. 26. Define a graph.
A graph is a visual representation of data.
27. 27. Mention the types of graph.
Types: Line graph, Bar graph, Pie chart, Histogram, Frequency polygon.