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 a dilemma to test hypotheses against sample data. Prediction forecasts future observations based on past data. Regression models the relationship between variables as a linear function.