Back to Understand statistics as a process for inference — Problem 4 · Task Set 12

Exercises: Understand Statistics as a Process for Making Inferences

Work through each section in order. For each scenario, read carefully and use the correct vocabulary (population, parameter, sample, statistic) and notation. Explain your reasoning where a written response is asked for.

Grade 10·21 problems·~40 min·Common Core Math - HS Statistics and Probability·group·hss-ic-a-1

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Fluency Practice

Poll X surveys 1,000,000 people who chose to call in to a radio show. Poll Y surveys 600 people selected by a random-number draw. Which poll's result should be trusted more as an estimate of the true population opinion, and why?

Poll X, because a sample of one million is far larger and therefore more representative.

Poll Y, because random selection removes bias; Poll X is a voluntary-response sample whose large size cannot fix its bias.

Poll X, because larger samples always have smaller bias.

Neither — sample size and selection method do not affect trustworthiness.