There are a lot of different symbols used in statistics. There could also be symbols you have used before in another class, but mean something different in stats. To clear some confusion, I compiled a list of the more common symbols used in intro CSU stat courses.
Name | Symbol | Description |
---|---|---|
Population Mean | ![]() | A parameter, the population average. |
Sample Mean | ![]() | A statistic, the sample average. |
Population Standard Deviation | ![]() | A parameter, which measures the variability in the population. |
Sample Standard Deviation | ![]() | A statistic, which measures the variability in the sample |
Sample Size | ![]() | The number of observations in an experiment. |
Pooled Standard Deviation | ![]() | A weighted average of two groups standard deviations. |
T Value | ![]() | Can represent a test statistic when performing a t-test or the critical value when creating a CI. |
Z Value | ![]() | Can represent a z-score or a test statistic. |
Sample Correlation | ![]() | Measures the linear relationship between two variables. |
Population Correlation | ![]() | Measures the linear relationship between two variables. |
Proportion | ![]() | The number of "successes" over the total observations. |
Null Hypothesis | ![]() | The assumed hypothesis when performing a hypothesis test. |
Alternative Hypothesis | ![]() | The hypothesis we are trying to "disprove" in a hypothesis test. |
Estimated Slope | ![]() | The estimated slope in the line of best fit. |
Estimated Y-Intercept | ![]() | The estimated y-intercept in the line of best fit. |
Population Slope | ![]() | The theoretical slope in a linear regression model. |
Population Y-Intercept | ![]() | The theoretical y-intercept in a linear regression model. |
Coefficient of Determination | ![]() | The proportion of variability in the response that can be explained by the model. |
Random Error | ![]() | The random error term that is added in the theoretical linear regression model. |
F Value | ![]() | The test statistic used when performing ANOVA. |