Descriptive statistics are used to describe data, while inferential statistics allow inferences to be made about a population based on a sample. Descriptive statistics include measures of central tendency like the mean, median, and mode as well as measures of variability such as range, variance, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics comprise techniques like estimation, hypothesis testing, prediction, and regression. Estimation involves calculating point estimates and intervals to estimate unknown population parameters. Hypothesis testing structures hypotheses to test using statistical tests and significance levels. Prediction forecasts future observations based on past data, while regression models relationships between variables.