AP Statistics
Grades 10 to 126 units and 57 lessons. Helio talks each one through and draws each step on a board.
Units
Exploring One-Variable Data and Collecting Data
13 lessons- Statistical studies, investigative questions and variablesIdentify study components, classify variables and summaries, and write an investigative question.
- Tables and graphs for one categorical variableConstruct categorical tables and graphs, compare group rates, and justify claims with proportions in context.
- Dotplots, stemplots and histogramsConstruct three displays of quantitative data and explain what each shows or hides.
- Describing a quantitative distribution: shape, center, variability, unusual featuresDescribe a quantitative distribution’s shape, center, variability, and unusual features in context, using evidence from its graph.
- Summary statistics: center, position, variability and outliersCalculate commute summaries, identify outliers, and justify statistics and units for a skewed distribution.
- Five-number summary and boxplotsConstruct a modified boxplot and interpret its quarters, outliers, and mean–median relationship.
- Comparing distributions and z-scoresCompare distributions in context and use z-scores to compare scores relative to their groups.
- Planning a study: census, observational study or experiment, and the investigative questionClassify a study, write a question its design can address, and justify the scope of its conclusions.
- Random sampling methodsDescribe four random sampling methods and justify a method for a school survey.
- Potential problems with sampling: biasIdentify a possible bias, explain who is affected, and state its likely direction when evidence supports one.
- Principles of experimental designWrite and justify an experiment with a comparison group, random assignment, replication, controlled conditions, a measured response and appropriate conclusions.
- Completely randomised, randomised block and matched pairs designsChoose, describe and justify a design for comparing two treatments.
- Inference and experiments: scope of conclusions and statistical significanceUse a shuffle result and a study’s design to write a justified conclusion.
Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions
11 lessons- Two categorical variables: two-way tables, conditional distributions and associationCalculate shares from a two-way table and use within-group comparisons to judge association.
- Random processes and estimating probabilities by simulationDesign a simulation and use its results to estimate an event’s probability.
- Probability, complements and mutually exclusive eventsCalculate probabilities by counting or using complements, and justify when events are mutually exclusive.
- Conditional probability and the general multiplication ruleCalculate conditional probabilities from trees and two-way tables, including when the question reverses the tree’s first branch.
- Independent events and unions of eventsCheck independence using probabilities and calculate “or” probabilities without counting an overlap twice.
- Discrete random variables and probability distributionsConstruct a discrete probability distribution and use it to find probabilities described in words.
- Mean and standard deviation of a discrete random variableCalculate and interpret a discrete random variable’s mean and standard deviation.
- The binomial distributionJustify a binomial model; calculate and interpret its probabilities, mean, and standard deviation.
- The normal distribution: empirical rule and normal calculationsCalculate and interpret normal-model probabilities and percentile cutoffs using a labelled curve.
- Sampling variability and sampling distributions (simulation)Tell a population, a sample and a sampling distribution apart, describe a simulated sampling distribution by centre, spread and shape, and use one to judge how unusual a sample result is.
- The central limit theorem and probabilities about x-barUse the central limit theorem to say when the sampling distribution of x̄ is approximately normal, give its centre and SD, justify the conditions, and find a probability about a sample mean.
Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions
14 lessons- Point estimators: bias and variabilityCompare point estimators using the centres and spreads of their sampling distributions.
- The sampling distribution of a sample proportionDescribe its centre, spread and shape, then calculate and interpret a probability.
- Constructing a confidence interval for a population proportionConstruct a one-sample z-interval for a population proportion, verify its conditions, and plan a sample size.
- Interpreting a confidence interval and the confidence levelInterpret a proportion interval and its confidence level, assess a claim, and explain changes in width.
- Setting up a significance test for a population proportionDefine the population proportion, write hypotheses from the question, name the test, and check its conditions.
- Interpreting p-valuesInterpret a p-value in context, identifying the null assumption and the results counted as more extreme.
- Carrying out and concluding a test for a population proportionCalculate a one-proportion z-test and state a justified conclusion about the population.
- Type I and Type II errors and powerIdentify both errors in context, calculate power, and explain how testing choices affect mistakes.
- The sampling distribution of a difference in sample proportionsDescribe its centre, spread and shape; check conditions; calculate and interpret probabilities.
- Confidence intervals for a difference in population proportionsConstruct and interpret a two-sample z-interval for a difference in population proportions.
- Significance tests for a difference in population proportionsSet up a two-proportion z-test, check its conditions, and conclude with appropriate scope.
- Expected counts in two-way tablesCalculate expected counts from table margins and check the chi-square expected-count condition.
- Setting up chi-square tests for homogeneity and independenceChoose the test from the study design, state hypotheses in context, and check conditions.
- Carrying out chi-square tests for homogeneity and independenceCalculate a chi-square statistic and p-value, then justify a contextual conclusion and choose the appropriate categorical test.
Inference for Quantitative Data: Means
9 lessons- The sampling distribution of a sample meanJustify with numbers a normal model for x̄, interpret probabilities about x̄ as statements about samples, and use the standard error when σ is unknown.
- t-distributions and the confidence interval for a population meanConstruct, justify, and interpret a one-sample t-interval for a population mean.
- Justifying claims with a confidence interval for a meanInterpret a t-interval for a population mean and use it to evaluate a claimed mean.
- Significance test for a population meanCarry out and justify a one-sample t-test for a population mean.
- Inference for a mean difference: matched pairsIdentify paired data, check conditions, and test or estimate a population mean difference using one-sample t procedures.
- The sampling distribution of a difference in sample meansDescribe its centre, spread, and shape; check conditions; calculate a probability.
- Confidence intervals for a difference in population meansConstruct, interpret, and justify a confidence interval for the difference between two population means.
- Significance tests for a difference in population meansTest a difference between two independent population means and state a conclusion with the right scope.
- Selecting, implementing and communicating inference proceduresChoose an inference method, carry it out, and justify a conclusion in context.
Regression Analysis
4 lessons- Scatterplots: form, direction, strength and unusual featuresPlot paired measurements and describe a scatterplot’s direction, form, strength and unusual features in context.
- CorrelationInterpret r in context and use a scatterplot to judge what it does and does not show.
- Linear regression models and residualsPredict a car’s price, interpret its residual, judge the residual plot, and recognize extrapolation.
- Least-squares regression: slope, intercept and r-squaredCalculate a least-squares line and interpret its slope, intercept, R-sq and S in context.
Beyond the AP exam (optional) (Optional)
6 lessons- Outliers, influential points and transformationsDistinguish outliers from influential points, assess a log transformation, and predict in original units.
- Transforming and combining random variablesCalculate means and SDs for transformed sums and differences, then find probabilities when the combined variable is normal.
- The geometric distributionModel trials until a first success; calculate geometric probabilities, mean, and standard deviation.
- Chi-square goodness-of-fit testTest whether a population’s colour shares match a claim, and state a conclusion in context.
- Sampling distribution of the slope and the confidence interval for betaConstruct and interpret a justified confidence interval for a population regression slope from computer output.
- Significance test for the slope of a regression lineTest whether a population regression slope is zero and interpret the result within the study’s design.
