Data Analysis
Types of Data & Collection · Measures of Central Tendency and Spread · Displaying Data
HSC Mathematics Standard 1 topic guide
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis is a core part of HSC Mathematics Standard 1. This guide connects the syllabus ideas behind Data Analysis, Relative Frequency and Probability, Bivariate Data Analysis, shows how they appear in worked problems, and points you to the formulas and full lessons needed for exam revision.
What you will learn
Statistical Analysis syllabus outline
The units below follow the structure used in the full Study to Learn course. Use the outline to identify exactly which idea needs attention, then work through the public example before continuing to the complete lesson path.
Relative Frequency and Probability
Probability Basics · Relative Frequency and Two-Way Tables
Bivariate Data Analysis
Scatterplots and Correlation · Line of Best Fit & Predictions
Free worked preview
Types of Data & Collection
This complete preview comes from the Data Analysis unit. It introduces the core language, shows the method in context, and gives you a real example of the lesson quality before you create an account.
Types of Data
Categorical vs Numerical
Categorical data: describes categories/qualities (e.g. eye colour, suburb). Numerical data: quantities that can be counted or measured — discrete (countable, exact values like number of siblings) or continuous (measured, can take any value in a range, like height).
Data Collection Methods
Surveys, observations, and experiments. A well-designed sample should represent the whole population being studied — a poorly chosen sample can produce biased, misleading results.
Common ErrorDiscrete numerical data (like "number of pets") is sometimes mistakenly displayed as if it were continuous — always match the display type (bar chart for discrete/categorical, histogram for continuous) to the actual data type.
Worked Example
Classify each: (a) shoe size, (b) hair colour, (c) height in cm.
1Shoe sizes are countable, fixed values (e.g. 8, 8.5, 9)
2A quality/category, not a number
3Can take any value within a range, limited only by measurement precision
Practice QuestionClassify: (a) number of cars in a household, (b) time to run 100m, (c) favourite subject.
Reviewed by the Study to Learn editorial team · Updated 2026-07-24