Statistics is the branch of mathematics dealing with data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. In everyday use, it refers to numerical data and the science of turning data into meaningful conclusions. It is commonly used in research, business, and public policy to describe patterns and draw inferences from samples and populations.
"The statistics show a steady increase in graduation rates over the decade."
"Researchers presented statistics to summarize the survey results."
"The statistics indicate a correlation between income and education level."
"Before making decisions, review the statistics to understand the risk involved."
Statistics derives from the plural of Latin statis (state or standing) and the Greek -ics suffix, but its modern sense originated in 18th-century Europe with the development of political arithmetic and the science of data about populations. The term entered English in the 18th century through Continental scholars studying government administration and demographic measurement. Early usage framed statistics as a body of facts about a state, but as a discipline it evolved to formal methods for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. The shift from descriptive to inferential statistics occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries with the introduction of probability theory, sampling, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis, cementing Statistics as a rigorous field bridging mathematics, science, and social inquiry.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Statistics" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Statistics"
-ics sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˌstæ tɪˈstɪk s/ (US) or /ˌstæt ɪˈstɪks/ (UK/AU). Start with two unstressed syllables, then stress on the third: sta-ti-STIcs, with the final -tics sounding like tɪks. Focus on the middle syllable’s quick, crisp /tɪ/ and the final /ks/ cluster. You’ll often hear it as sta-ti-STIcs in natural speech. IPA: US /ˌstæ tɪˈstɪk s/, UK /ˌstætɪˈstɪks/.
Common errors: flattening the second syllable—sta-TI-stics instead of sta-ti-STIcs; misplacing stress on the first or last syllable; pronouncing the final -tics as -tiks with a reduced vowel. Correction tips: practice the three-syllable rhythm with clear middle stress, say staTIsTics slowly, then smoothly increase speed while keeping the /t/ and /ks/ distinct.Ensure final cluster is /tɪks/ rather than /tɪksɪz/.
In US English, primary stress is on the third syllable: /ˌstæ tɪˈstɪks/. In UK/AU, the middle vowel is more open and the final cluster is typically /-stɪks/ with less vowel reduction in rapid speech: /ˌstætɪˈstɪks/. Rhoticity minimally affects pronunciation here; vowels in the same positions remain the same while the trailing /s/ is clear. Aim for consistent /t/ + /ɪks/ sequence across accents.
Difficulties arise from the multi-syllable structure and adjacent consonants: the sequence /-tɪk/ before /s/ creates a challenging cluster; the shift of primary stress to the penultimate or antepenultimate syllable varies with speaker pace; and subtle vowel quality differences in /ɪ/ vs /iː/ can trip non-native speakers. Practice with slow, segmented pronunciation, then blend into natural speed while maintaining the central /tɪks/ ending.
Statistics often carries a secondary stress impression in rapid speech: speakers may reduce the unstressed first syllable slightly, making the second syllable more prominent than expected. The critical cue is the strong second-to-last syllable, /ˈstɪ/ or /ˈstætɪ/, before the final /ks/. Paying attention to the three-syllable rhythm and crisp final /tɪks/ helps avoid common slurring mistakes.
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