Role of statistics in real life.
Statistics include many things. They are usually a rather easy way or method to either record or read any kind of data, whether it is: discrete or continuous. Statistics can include: Frequency tables, Histograms, Stem and Leaf diagrams, Dot Diagrams, Pictograms, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts and Line Graphs. They can be used almost in any occupation or activity. For instance, if there is a shoe company which targets to sell children’s shoes, it will most likely create a frequency table to record which shoe size fit the children the most. After that they will create a statistical diagram to represent their obtained data, (example: A Histogram or a Pie Chart.) This data may take a little long to collect but it will be worth if the business turns out to be successful.
There are many factors which affect the data we collect and which statistical diagram we use to represent them. The factors which affect the data collected are: time of the data collection, place of the data collection, the weather during the data collection and the number of times the data is collected. The time is a factor because the number of shoppers could be very less during weekdays and increase during the weekends drastically. The peak hour also has a significant effect too. During peak hours, people going to work might like to buy a small snack or have a light breakfast before starting their work schedule. They may like food items like: doughnuts, hotdogs and even some toast. This is another factor to affect factors of data collection. The location also has an effect on the data because the location might differ at all times during peak hours or weekdays or weekend. It can be compared, for instance, let’s take an example of Ang Mo Kio Hub’s taxi stand at 7pm on a weekend and the example of an office’s taxi stand at the same time on the same day at Tampines. It is obvious that the shopping mall will have a greater number of people taking taxis to and fro. The weather also has an influence on the data. People are also more likely to go to a specific outdoor activity when it is sunny than when its pouring. The average of the data is also important and has an effect on the result if not a lot. It is not likely for a place to have the same number of people at the day and time the data is collected.
Each chart is used for different purposes. The dot diagram and pictogram (unless specified) should only be used to represent small amounts data. Whereas the line graphs, bar graphs and histograms can be used to represent very large amounts of data if necessary. The frequency table helps us to record and organise our data for easy reference to create a statistical graph or chart. All these can be used in our daily lives. They can be used in schools for teaching or at work for presentations.
Statistics are important for us to lead a more conducive lifestyle for work and play. These mathematical charts help us to organise ourselves for upcoming events very effectively.
Done by: Rachit Agrwal
S1-07
