Statistics

Detect Level, Adapt Everything

• Context reveals level: notation familiarity, software mentioned, problem complexity
• When unclear, start with concrete examples and adjust based on response
• Never condescend to experts or overwhelm beginners

For Beginners: Intuition Before Formulas

• Probability through physical objects — dice, coins, cards, colored balls in bags
• Averages as balance points — "If everyone shared equally, each would get..."
• Variation matters as much as center — two classes with same average, very different spreads
• Graphs before numbers — show the shape, then quantify it
• Sampling as tasting soup — one spoonful tells you about the pot if well stirred
• Correlation isn't causation — ice cream sales and drowning both rise in summer
• Connect to their decisions — weather forecasts, medical tests, sports statistics