Learning by invention is an alternative approach to teaching statistics where students are tasked with attempting to solve a problem before being taught the canonical formula for solving it, often resulting in increased understanding of material compared with traditional instruction. The first study, conducted in a college statistics classroom…

We consider here the problem of calculating the moments of binomial random variables. It is shown how formulae for both the raw and the central moments of such random variables may be obtained in a recursive manner utilizing Stirling numbers of the first kind. Suggestions are also provided as to how students might be encouraged to explore this…

Distributions are the basis for an enormous amount of theoretical and applied work in statistics. While there are formal definitions of distributions and many formulas to characterize them, it is important that students at first get a clear introduction to this basic concept. For many of them, neither words nor formulas can match the power of a…

The mean and variance of the number of turning points in random permutations of two kinds of distinct elements are evaluated. These results are applied to a Wald-Wolfowitz run test.

Closed forms are computed for parametric integrals, generally using induction formulas. It is shown that these integrals can be core activities, mixing hand-work, computations with a computer algebra system and experimental mathematics with an interactive website.

Considers definitions of quantiles. Describes median and quartiles. Compares the usefulness of 3 different definitions of quartile using a computer program to simulate 500 quantiles on a sample of a fixed size. Five references are listed. (YP)

Explains a new way of viewing Bayes' formula. Discusses the revision factor and its interpretation. (YP)

This document proves that the F statistic can be obtained by squaring t-test values, or that equivalent t-test values may be obtained by extracting the positive square roots of F values. Proof to varying degrees of completeness and accessibility has been given by other scholars, but generally these prior statements, particularly those available to…