Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 9th edition

Published by Pearson (February 18, 2026) © 2027
Ron Larson

Title overview

For courses in Introductory Statistics (algebra-based).

Describe the world through statistics

Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World makes statistics approachable with stepped-out instruction, abundant real-life examples and exercises, and a design that makes material digestible by fitting content to each page. Larson blends theory, teaching and learning aids, and design to convey concepts and help students use statistics to describe and think about the world.

The 9th Edition substantially updates examples and exercises throughout, along with key features such as Try It Yourself, Picturing the World, and more. Many Chapter Technology Projects have been replaced or revised; additional guidance is provided on work with P-values, along with many other enhancements.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Technology tips show how to use Minitab, Excel, the TI-84 Plus and StatCrunch® to solve a problem.
  • Chapter Technology Projects show how technology is used for large data sets or real-life questions.
  • Real Statistics - Real Decisions: Putting It All Together encourages students to think critically and make informed decisions about data. Exercises guide students from interpretation to drawing conclusions.
  • A representative range of authentic, accessible applications reflects the majors of students taking the course.
  • Chapter Case Studies use actual data and pose questions that illustrate important concepts.
  • Review and assessment features include Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, Quiz and Test for each chapter, plus Cumulative Reviews.

New and updated features of this title

  • Almost 40% new or revised Examples: Several examples also now show alternate solutions or a check using technology.
  • Extensively revised and refreshed key features include Try It Yourself (over 50% new or revised), Picturing the World (over 70% new or revised), and Exercises (nearly 40% new or revised).
  • Chapter feature updates increase relevancy for students, with 60% new or revised Where You’ve Been and Where You’re Going; Uses and Abuses: Statistics in the Real World; Real Statistics - Real Decisions: Putting it All Together; and Chapter Technology Projects.
  • Additional guidance and practice for work with P-Values to perform hypothesis tests have been included in examples, Study Tips, Tech Tips, and exercises, enhancing comprehension while offering greater flexibility in which methods to use in performing hypothesis tests.
  • Large Data Sets inserted at strategic locations (including some Case Studies and several of the new Online Chapter Projects) give students opportunities to work with substantial, robust sets of data.
  • Online Chapter Projects to support each chapter are available in MyLab Statistics and at www.pearson.com/math-stats-resources. They give students opportunities to engage in high-level work involving extended problem solving; some ask students to design and conduct surveys or experiments.

Key features

Features of MyLab Statistics for the 9th Edition

  • Expanded comprehensive, auto-graded exercise options: Exercises have been carefully reviewed, vetted, and improved since the previous edition using aggregated student usage and performance data over time.
  • New Student Projects at the end of each chapter are pre-built in MediaShare for group or individual project work, in the classroom or at home.
  • Additional and revised exercises with immediate feedback offer helpful insights when students enter incorrect answers, and are updated for new data and clarity. They regenerate algorithmically to give students unlimited practice; most include learning aids such as guided solutions and sample problems.
  • Performance Analytics enable instructors to see and analyze student performance across multiple courses. Based on their current course progress, a student’s performance is identified above, at, or below expectations through a variety of graphs and visualizations.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.
  • StatCrunch®: Integrated directly into MyLab Statistics, this powerful web-based statistical software allows users to perform complex analyses, share data sets, and generate compelling reports of their data. The vibrant online community offers tens of thousands of shared data sets for students to analyze.

Table of contents

  • (NOTE: Each chapter starts with Data Set, Where You’ve Been, and Where You’re Going. Each concludes with Chapter Summary, Review Exercises, Chapter Quiz, and Chapter Test.
  • Index of Applications

I. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

  • 1. Introduction to Statistics
    • 1.1 An Overview of Statistics 
    • 1.2 Data Classification 
    • 1.3 Data Collection and Experimental Design 
  • 2. Descriptive Statistics 
    • 2.1 Frequency Distributions and Their Graphs 
    • 2.2 More Graphs and Displays 
    • 2.3 Measures of Central Tendency 
    • 2.4 Measures of Variation 
    • 2.5 Measures of Position 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 1 & 2

II. PROBABILITY AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

  • 3. Probability 
    • 3.1 Basic Concepts of Probability and Counting 
    • 3.2 Conditional Probability and the Multiplication Rule 
    • 3.3 The Addition Rule 
    • 3.4 Additional Topics in Probability and Counting 
  • 4. Discrete Probability Distributions 
    • 4.1 Probability Distributions 
    • 4.2 Binomial Distributions 
    • 4.3 More Discrete Probability Distributions 
  • 5. Normal Probability Distributions 
    • 5.1 Introduction to Normal Distributions and the Standard Normal Distribution 
    • 5.2 Normal Distributions: Finding Probabilities 
    • 5.3 Normal Distributions: Finding Values 
    • 5.4 Sampling Distributions and the Central Limit Theorem
    • 5.5 Normal Approximations to Binomial Distributions 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 3-5

III. STATISTICAL INFERENCE

  • 6. Confidence Intervals
    • 6.1 Confidence Intervals for the Mean ( σ Known) 
    • 6.2 Confidence Intervals for the Mean ( σ Unknown) 
    • 6.3 Confidence Intervals for Population Proportions 
    • 6.4 Confidence Intervals for Variance and Standard Deviation 
  • 7. Hypothesis Testing with One Sample
    • 7.1 Introduction to Hypothesis Testing 
    • 7.2 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (σ Known) 
    • 7.3 Hypothesis Testing for the Mean (σ Unknown) 
    • 7.4 Hypothesis Testing for Proportions 
    • 7.5 Hypothesis Testing for Variance and Standard Deviation
  • 8. Hypothesis Testing with Two Samples
    • 8.1 Testing the Difference Between Means (Independent Samples, 1 and 2 Known)
    • 8.2 Testing the Difference Between Means (Independent Samples, 1 and 2 Unknown)
    • 8.3 Testing the Difference Between Means (Dependent Samples)
    • 8.4 Testing the Difference Between Proportions
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 6-8

IV. MORE STATISTICAL INFERENCE

  • 9. Correlation and Regression 
    • 9.1 Correlation 
    • 9.2 Linear Regression 
    • 9.3 Measures of Regression and Prediction Intervals 
    • 9.4 Multiple Regression 
  • 10. Chi-Square Tests and the F-Distribution
    • 10.1 Goodness-of-Fit Test 
    • 10.2 Independence 
    • 10.3 Comparing Two Variances 
    • 10.4 Analysis of Variance 
    • Cumulative Review: Chapters 9 & 10
  • 11. Nonparametric Tests (Online Only)*
    • 11.1 The Sign Test
    • 11.2 The Wilcoxon Tests
    • 11.3 The Kruskal-Wallis Test
    • 11.4 Rank Correlation
    • 11.5 The Runs Test
    • * Available in MyLab Statistics

Appendix A:  Alternative Presentation of the Standard Normal Distribution 

  • Standard Normal Distribution Table
  • Alternative Presentation of the Standard Normal Distribution

Appendix B:  Tables

  • Table 1 Random Numbers
  • Table 2 Binomial Distribution
  • Table 3 Poisson Distribution
  • Table 4 Standard Normal Distribution
  • Table 5 t-Distribution
  • Table 6 Chi-Square Distribution
  • Table 7 F-Distribution
  • Table 8 Critical Values for the Sign Test
  • Table 9 Critical Values for the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
  • Table 10 Critical Values for the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient
  • Table 11 Critical Values for the Pearson Correlation Coefficient
  • Table 12 Critical Values for the Number of Runs

Appendix C: Normal Probability Plots 

Appendix D: Key Formulas

Answers to the Try It Yourself Exercises
Answers to the Odd-Numbered Exercises
Index

Author bios

About our author

Ron Larson received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1970. At that time he accepted a position with Penn State University, and he currently holds the rank of professor of mathematics at the university. Larson is the lead author of more than two dozen mathematics textbooks that range from 6th grade through calculus levels.

Many of his texts, such as the 10th Edition of his calculus text, are leaders in their markets. Larson is also one of the pioneers in the use of multimedia and the Internet to enhance the learning of mathematics. He has authored multimedia programs, extending from the elementary school through calculus levels. Larson is a member of several professional groups and is a frequent speaker at national and regional mathematics meetings.

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