Re: [HM] Is Statistics Part of Mathematics?

Mike Robison (mrobison@voyager.net)
Mon, 29 Mar 1999 07:33:35 -0500

"Richard J. Griego" wrote:
>
> In response to James A. Landau's message of March 26, 1999 as to
> whether statistics is part of mathematics:
>
> If one accepts that probability theory is part of statistics, then
> certainly statistics has contributed mightily to parts of mathematics.

This initial statement is where I would appreciate clarification. In
developing a curriculum for a basic level (prerequisite basic HS
algebra) statistics class, we are including a probability unit. This
has been challenged as unnecessary. I guess I have two related
questions.
Is there a historical reason that probability is included in basic
statistics?

Has probability "always" been included in basic statistics classes?

Thank you.

Mike

-- 
Mike Robison
Math graduate student and occasional amateur historian
Michigan State University
mrobison@voyager.net robiso12@pilot.msu.edu
http://www.msu.edu/user/robiso12/index.htm
"Expecting all children the same age to learn from the 
same materials is like expecting all children the same 
age to wear the same size clothing." M. Hunter