Which term best describes the process of finding patterns and anomalies (irregularities) in data to predict outcomes?

• A. Descriptive statistics
• B. Random sampling
• C. Probability distribution
• D. Predictive analytics

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms given in the problem: Descriptive statistics, Random sampling, Probability distribution, and Predictive analytics.
2. Recall that Descriptive statistics involves summarizing and describing the features of a dataset, such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation, but does not focus on predicting future outcomes.
3. Recognize that Random sampling is a method used to select a subset of individuals from a population to represent the whole, which is important for data collection but not directly about finding patterns or predicting outcomes.
4. Know that Probability distribution describes how probabilities are distributed over the values of a random variable, which helps in understanding data behavior but is not the process of finding patterns or anomalies for prediction.
5. Identify that Predictive analytics is the process of analyzing current and historical data to find patterns and anomalies (irregularities) with the goal of making predictions about future events or outcomes.