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Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 8th edition

Published by Pearson (January 26, 2022) © 2023

  • Ron Larson Penn State University at Erie

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For courses in Introductory Statistics (algebra-based).

Describing the world through statistics

Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 8th Edition makes statistics approachable with stepped-out instruction, extensive real-life examples and exercises, and a design that fits content to each page to make the material more digestible. Its combination of theory, teaching and learning aids, and design helps students understand concepts and use statistics to describe and think about the world.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Technology tips show how to use Minitab, Excel, the TI-84 Plus and StatCrunch® to solve a problem.
  • Chapter Technology Projects show how technology is used for large data sets or real-life questions.
  • Real Statistics - Real Decisions: Putting It All Together encourages students to think critically and make informed decisions about data. Exercises guide students from interpretation to drawing conclusions.
  • Representative range of authentic, accessible applications reflects the majors of students taking the course.
  • Chapter Case Studies use actual data and pose questions that illustrate important concepts.
  • Review and assessment features include Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, Quiz and Test for each chapter, plus Cumulative Reviews.

New and updated features of this title

  • Updated "Where You've Been and Where You're Going" begins each chapter with a 2-page visual description of a real-life problem. Where You've Been connects the chapter to topics learned in earlier chapters; Where You're Going overviews the chapter.
  • Updated "Uses and Abuses: Statistics in the Real World" discusses how statistical techniques should be used while cautioning about common abuses. Where appropriate, discussion includes ethics; exercises help students apply their knowledge.
  • Updated Study Strategies after each Chapter Summary in Chapters 1-10 help students improve their performance, with tips on improving reading skills, avoiding procrastination, test prep, taking notes and more.
  • New references to Co-Requisite Help margin notes at point-of-use locations throughout show students where to find review help in the Integrated Review in MyLab® Statistics.
  • Revised Applet Activities throughout reflect changes to their corresponding online applets.
  • Updated material includes nearly 50% new or revised Examples, 40% new or revised Try It Yourself, 70% new or revised Picturing the World, over 30% new or revised Exercises, and many screen displays revised or replaced, for visual appeal and to reflect the most up-to-date versions of their software.

Features of MyLab Statistics for the 8th Edition

  • 30% new MyLab items, including increased use of -T items that assume use of statistical software.
  • New and refreshed example and lecture videos are provided.
  • Updated accessible integrated review worksheets give students practice problems and instruction on key prerequisite content.
  • Mindset videos and assignable, open-ended exercises foster a growth mindset in students. This material encourages them to maintain a positive attitude about learning, value their own ability to grow, and view mistakes as learning opportunities, which is so often a hurdle for math students.
  • NOTE: Each chapter begins with “Where You've Been” and “Where You're Going” features. Each chapter concludes with Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, Chapter Quiz, and Chapter Test.

I. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

  • 1. Introduction to Statistics
    • 1.1 An Overview of Statistics 
    • 1.2 Data Classification 
    • 1.3 Data Collection and Experimental Design 
  • 2. Descriptive Statistics 
    • 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Their Graphs 
    • 2.2 More Graphs and Displays 
    • 2.3 Measures of Central Tendency 
    • 2.4 Measures of Variation 
    • 2.5 Measures of Position 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 1 & 2

II. PROBABILITY AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

  • 3. Probability 
    • 3.1 Basic Concepts of Probability and Counting 
    • 3.2 Conditional Probability and the Multiplication Rule 
    • 3.3 The Addition Rule 
    • 3.4 Additional Topics in Probability and Counting 
  • 4. Discrete Probability Distributions 
    • 4.1 Probability Distributions 
    • 4.2 Binomial Distributions 
    • 4.3 More Discrete Probability Distributions 
  • 5. Normal Probability Distributions 
    • 5.1 Introduction to Normal Distributions and the Standard Normal Distribution 
    • 5.2 Normal Distributions: Finding Probabilities 
    • 5.3 Normal Distributions: Finding Values 
    • 5.4 Sampling Distributions and the Central Limit Theorem
    • 5.5 Normal Approximations to Binomial Distributions 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 3-5

III. STATISTICAL INFERENCE

  • 6. Confidence Intervals
    • 6.1 Confidence Intervals for the Mean (Known) 
    • 6.2 Confidence Intervals for the Mean (Unknown) 
    • 6.3 Confidence Intervals for Population Proportions 
    • 6.4 Confidence Intervals for Variance and Standard Deviation 
  • 7. Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
    • 7.1 Introduction to Hypothesis Testing 
    • 7.2 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (Known) 
    • 7.3 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (Unknown) 
    • 7.4 Hypothesis Testing for Proportions 
    • 7.5 Hypothesis Testing for Variance and Standard Deviation
  • 8. Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
    • 8.1 Testing the Difference Between Means (Independent Samples, 1 and 2 Known)
    • 8.2 Testing the Difference Between Means (Independent Samples, 1 and 2 Unknown)
    • 8.3 Testing the Difference Between Means (Dependent Samples)
    • 8.4 Testing the Difference Between Proportions
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 6-8

IV. MORE STATISTICAL INFERENCE

  • 9. Correlation and Regression 
    • 9.1 Correlation 
    • 9.2 Linear Regression 
    • 9.3 Measures of Regression and Prediction Intervals 
    • 9.4 Multiple Regression 
  • 10. Chi-Square Tests and the F-Distribution
    • 10.1 Goodness-of-Fit Test 
    • 10.2 Independence 
    • 10.3 Comparing Two Variances 
    • 10.4 Analysis of Variance 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 9 & 10
  • 11. Nonparametric Tests (Online Only)*
    • 11.1 The Sign Test
    • 11.2 The Wilcoxon Tests
    • 11.3 The Kruskal-Wallis Test
    • 11.4 Rank Correlation
    • 11.5 The Runs Test
    • * Available in MyLab Statistics

Appendix A:  Alternative Presentation of the Standard Normal Distribution 

  • Standard Normal Distribution Table
  • Alternative Presentation of the Standard Normal Distribution

Appendix B:  Tables

  • Table 1 Random Numbers
  • Table 2 Binomial Distribution
  • Table 3 Poisson Distribution
  • Table 4 Standard Normal Distribution
  • Table 5 t-Distribution
  • Table 6 Chi-Square Distribution
  • Table 7 F-Distribution
  • Table 8 Critical Values for the Sign Test
  • Table 9 Critical Values for the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
  • Table 10 Critical Values for the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient
  • Table 11 Critical Values for the Pearson Correlation Coefficient
  • Table 12 Critical Values for the Number of Runs

Appendix C: Normal Probability Plots 

Appendix D: Key Formulas

Answers to the Try It Yourself Exercises
Answers to the Odd-Numbered Exercises
Index

About our authors

Ron Larson received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1970. At that time he accepted a position with Penn State University, and he currently holds the rank of professor of mathematics at the university. Larson is the lead author of more than two dozen mathematics textbooks that range from 6th grade through calculus levels. Many of his texts, such as the 10th Edition of his calculus text, are leaders in their markets. Larson is also one of the pioneers in the use of multimedia and the Internet to enhance the learning of mathematics. He has authored multimedia programs, extending from the elementary school through calculus levels. Larson is a member of several professional groups and is a frequent speaker at national and regional mathematics meetings.

Many thanks to Betsy Farber  for her significant contributions to previous editions of the text. Sadly, Betsy passed away in 2013. She received her Bachelor's degree in mathematics from Penn State University and her Master's degree in mathematics from the College of New Jersey. Betsy taught all levels of mathematics at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania for many years. She made many notable contributions throughout her career to developing new ways to make statistics relevant and interesting for both online and traditional students.

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