QuestionDetermine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.
A sample of students is selected and it is found that 55% own a television.
Choose the correct statement below.
Parameter
Statistic
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking?
Is the 55% television ownership a fact about a smaller group taken from a larger group or the larger group itself?
Watch out!
Don't mix up *statistic* and *parameter*!
A *statistic* describes a *sample*, while a *parameter* describes the whole *population*.
STEP 2
1. Define parameter and statistic
2. Analyze the given information
3. Determine if the value is a statistic or parameter
STEP 3
A **parameter** is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a *population*.
Think of it as the **real deal**, the **true value** for the *entire* group we're interested in!
STEP 4
A **statistic** is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a *sample*.
It's like a **sneak peek**, an *estimate* based on a smaller portion of the larger group.
STEP 5
We're told that "a *sample* of students is selected." This is a **key phrase**!
We're dealing with a smaller group taken from a larger group of all students.
STEP 6
The value of \text{55%} represents the proportion of students in this *sample* who own a television.
STEP 7
Since the \text{55%} is based on a *sample*, not the entire student population, it is a **statistic**!
It's giving us information *about* the sample, not the whole population.
STEP 8
The given value is a **statistic**.
Was this helpful?