Final answer:
In statistics, the symbols p, x, and s represent population parameters, sample statistics, and variables of interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symbol x represents values of the random variable X, ᵰ(x) represents the corresponding probability, and the symbol represents the sum of all products xᵰ(x). Here we use the symbol μ for the mean because it is a parameter. It represents the mean of a population.
The symbol for the population correlation coefficient is p, the Greek letter rho. p = population correlation coefficient (unknown). r = sample correlation coefficient (known; calculated from sample data).
Variables in statistics differ from variables in intermediate algebra. A variable (random variable) is a characteristic of interest in a population being studied. Common notation for variables is uppercase Latin letters X, Y, Z,... Common notations for a specific value from the domain is lowercase Latin letters x, y, z,....
The lowercase letter s represents the sample standard deviation and the Greek letter o represents the population standard deviation. If the sample has the same characteristics as the population, then s should be a good estimate of o.