Define Statistics

Statistics is defined as study of the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of data. Statistics have so many definitions when applying it to a scientific, industrial, or social problem.

Some are the popular definitions:

“Classified facts representing the conditions of a people in a state, especially the facts that can be stated in numbers or any other tabular or classified arrangement” by Merriam-Webster dictionary

“Numerical statements of facts in any department of inquiry placed in relation to each other” as per Statistician Sir Arthur Lyon Bowley.

Statistics as branch of mathematics pertains to the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. Some scientist considers statistics to be a distinct mathematical science rather than a branch of mathematics. And some considers statistics is concerned with the use of data. Mathematical statistics is the application mathematics concept in statistics. Use of Mathematical techniques to collection and analysis of data includes mathematical analysis, linear algebra and differential equations.

Data Analysis with excel

This article will explain you how excel features are used to data analysis process:

1. Sort: You can apply sort to one or multiple cells to get expected data. You may sort data A-to-Z or Z-to-A manner. This is very simple and easy method for data analysis. Custom sort have advance features like sort by cell color, font color and cell icon.

2. Conditional Formatting: Conditional formatting is very rich functionality for data analysis in Excel that enables user to highlight cells with different colors, depending on the cell's value/percent.  By applying conditional formatting to your data, you can quickly identify variances in a range of values with a quick glance. Following example will give quick answer about high temperature value.

3. Filter:  Filter your data in excel by certain criteria to get expected output. Filtered data displays only the rows that meet criteria that you specify and hides rows that you don't want displayed. You can apply filter to multiple columns at a time. After you filter data, you can copy, find, edit, format, chart, and print the subset of filtered data without rearranging or moving it.

4. Charts: A picture is equal to thousand words so generating chart with a sheet full of numbers is easy to understand. This is very useful and easy tools for data analysis and to create visualizations. There are so many different charts we can create for data analysis.
5. Tables: Table will allow you to analyse data easily and quickly.
6. Pivot Tables: Pivot Table is very powerful and easy to use data analysis tool in excel. You can extract information from rows and columns by inserting pivot on that data.  
7. Analysis ToolPak: This is an excel add-in program used to data analysis for statistical and engineering data analysis.
8. Solver: Excel is having one more tool which is called solver. This uses techniques from the operations research to find optimal solutions for all kind of decision problems.

What is Data Analysis

It is the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modelling raw data with the intention of discovering useful information. That information is further used to suggesting conclusions, and for decision-making.