IAPS - What is Statistics? Lesson

What is Statistics?

AP Statistics is not like any of the math courses you have taken before.  Some of the topics you may remember are solving equations, factoring, and matrix operations.  All of these are great topics, but they are NOT a part of this course.

In Statistics, we do not typically have 'right' and 'wrong' answers as much as we have different shades of gray.  You will read and write more than you have in other mathematics courses.  Carefully reading the content is essential to your success in this course!

Statistics 

... requires higher order thinking skills.   

... requires that you can read the written language and interpret graphs.   

... requires the ability to write and communicate clearly.   

... requires that you read and understand the lessons.

You will most likely succeed in this course if you do the following.    

1.  ACTIVELY participate in the course meaning participate for understanding.    

2.  Follow the pacing guide and content and complete assignments when due. The concepts that we will explore will take time to sink in.  Consider this... "A small rain shower once a day is much better for a garden than a giant flood 
all at one time."    

3.  Ask questions not only when you don't get the right answer, but when you get the right answer but don't UNDERSTAND the answer.