Common Statistical Notations

Math 2300 (Statistical Methods)

Common Statistical Notations

S = sum of all numerical values (x1 + x2 + x3 +…+ xn)

n = sample size

m = population mean (pronounced mu)

x¯ = (with line above x) sample mean

s = population standard deviation

a =

s = standard deviation of the sample (variations from the mean)

s2 = variance of the sample (squared deviations from the mean)

df = degrees of freedom

H0 = null hypothesis of no evidence (like our criminal system – the person is innocent)

Ha = alternative hypothesis with something suggested (like person is guilty)

P = probability (how likely something will occur – No probability is larger than 1 or smaller than 0 (zero).

Heide Mansouri 1/13/11

Texas Tech University

Department of Mathematics and Statistics