Statistics is the task of describing and analyzing a set of numeric data.
What the numbers represent is not the critical issue. This is one method used to help summarize data. One idea that has come to dominate in the field of statistics is that it might be possible to provide a single number that can quickly indicate what all the numbers collectively represent. Each represents a slightly different approach in conveying what is typical within the data set. Seldom, if ever, would one go beyond this point.