What is a statistic? A statistic is a number or amount compared to an earlier number or amount of the same thing. Statistics refer to the quantity of work done or the value of it in money.

A down statistic means that the current number is less than it was.

An up statistic means the current number is more than it was.

A graph is a diagram (a simple drawing) which shows the relationship between two or more statistics.

Graphing and the reading of graphs are very important in any activity. This is much easier than it appears.

Successful organizations and groups use statistics. These show if a staff member or group is working or not working, as the work results in the statistic.

For example, if a bakery bakes 2,000 loaves of bread one week and only 1,500 loaves the next week, the company is slipping and the matter is dangerous. If it makes 2,000 the first week and 4,000 the following week, it is doing well and expanding.

Statistics give one a correct picture of how a person, organization or group is doing.