Chapter 1.1, Problem 1LC

A researcher is interested in the fast-food eating habits of American college students. A group of 50 students is interviewed and the researcher finds that these students eat an average of 2.3 commercially prepared meals per week. For this study, the average of 2.3 meals is an example of a ______.

1. a. parameter
2. b. statistic
3. c. population
4. d. sample

To determine

The type of example for the average of 2.3 meals.

Answer to Problem 1LC

The correct option is b. statistic.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

Since, average is taken over sample observations. So, it’s a function of sample observations, therefore average 2.3 is a statistic.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option a.: Parameter is the function of population observations but we are given average of sample observations.

Option c.: Since, population is not a numerical value, so average 2.3 cannot be example of population.

Option d.: Since, sample is not a numerical value, so average 2.3 cannot be example of sample.

Conclusion:

The correct answer is b. statistic.

Statistics Concept Introduction

Introduction:

Parameter:

A parameter is a functional unit or a numerical characteristic obtained from a population.

Statistic:

Statistic is a numerical characteristic obtained from a sample. A sample is a subset or part of a population.

Population:

A collection of all outcomes, people or measurements of interest is termed as population.

Sample:

The information about the population is obtained from the sample. That is, a sample is considered to be a subset of the given population.