Introduction to Statistics

Introduction Statistics: The word statistics seems to have been derived from the Latin word ‘status’ or the Italian word ‘statista’ or the German word ‘statistik’ or the French word ‘statistique’, each of which means a political state.  In a short statistic summary we can understand the Importance of statistics in some different disciplines like

Statistics in planning: Statistics in indispensable planning – may it be in business, economics or government level.The modern age is termed as ‘the age of planning’ and almost all the organisations in the government or business or management are resorting to planning for efficient working and for formulating policy decisions. 

Statistics in states: As has already been pointed out, in the old days Statistics was the science of State-craft and its objective was to collect data relating to manpower, crimes, income and wealth etc. for formulating suitable military and fiscal policies.

Statistics in Mathematics: Statistics is intimately related to and essentially dependent upon mathematics.

Statistics in economics: The interaction between Statistics and Economics was first observed by William Petty in his book but it took fairly long time for effective use of Statistics in formulation of economic theories and economic policies.

Statistics in business and management: Prior to industry revolution, when the production was at the handicraft stage, the business activities were very much limited and were confined only to small units operating in their own areas.

Statistics in accountancy and Auditing: Today, the science of Statistics has assumed such unprecedented dimensions that even subjects like Accountancy and Auditing have not escaped its domain.

Statistics in industry: In industry, statistics is extensively used in Quality Control. The main objective in any production processes it to control the quality of the manufactured product so that it conforms to specifications. Statistical tools are widely used by business enterprises for the promotion of new business. Before embarking upon any production process, the business house must have an idea about the quantum of the product to be manufactures. 


Statistics in Insurance: Probability theory on which modern theory of statistics is based is the backbone of the Insurance.


Statistics in Astronomy: Even in the ancient past the astronomers made recordings about the movements of heavenly bodies like stars and planets for the study of eclipses.


Statistics in Physical Sciences: The application of Statistics in Astronomy, which is a physical science, has already been discussed. In physical sciences, a large number of measurements are taken on the same item. 

Statistics Summary:
In short summary statistics, we can more learn that In the ancient times the scope of Statistics was primarily limited to the collection of the following data by the governments for framing military and fiscal policies:
(i) Age and sex wise population of the country
(ii) Property and wealth of the country. The former enabling the government to have an idea of the manpower of the country (in order to safeguard itself against any outside aggression) and the latter providing it with information for the introduction of new taxes and levies.