Is Statistics Math?
Statistics topics are often discussed in math classes or taught within a math department. However, statistics arguably is not a branch of mathematics. It is a mathematical science, built upon the mathematical discipline of probability. Some ways in which mathematics and Statistics differ include:
- Statistics often does not produce definitive conclusions whereas mathematics usually does.
- Measurement plays different roles and is treated differently in the mathematics and statistics.
- While computers can be very helpful in mathematics, they are essential to many statistical procedures.
- Statistics is not meaningful without context though mathematics often is.
- Data collection is integral to the practice of Statistics; it is sometimes useful in mathematics.