A method for analyzing streaming data includes providing a streaming accumulator comprising an addition module and two multiplexers, receiving one or more data streams, continuously calculating a set of basic statistical elements, receiving a request to calculate a set of statistical descriptors, calculating the set of statistical descriptors, and providing the set of statistical descriptors. An apparatus for analyzing streaming data includes a first multiplexer configured to receive a first summation, a second summation, and a current data item, and forward the first summation on cycles 1 and 3, forward the second summation on cycle 4, and forward the current data item on cycle 2, a second multiplexer configured to receiver the second summation, a third summation, and a previous data item, and forward the previous data item on cycles 1 and 3, forward the second summation on cycle 4, and forward the third summation on cycle 2.