Question

For each of the following, tell whether the population parameter of interest is µ or p.

A. In a survey, 36 males from NC State were asked their weight. Their average weight was 195.8 lbs with a standard deviation of 30.3 lbs. What is the average weight of males attending NC State?

B. From a poll of 2,419 people who downloaded music illegally from the internet, only 2 reported that they were pirates. What proportion of people who download music illegally self-report as pirates?

C. A recent study of 411 high-school students found that the average daily time they spent on cell phones was 100 minutes. What is the average daily time spent on cell phones among all students at the high school?

Please tell me the answers for A-C, if it's µ or p, and how you know? Thanks!

Answer 1

To check whether the population parameter of interest is µ or p we look at whether the population parameter of interest is mean (µ) or a proportion (p).

A.

The correct answer is µ. [ANSWER]

Explanation:

Here, we are interested in knowing the mean weight of males attending NC State and not in some population proportion thus here the population parameter of interest is µ.

B.

The correct answer is p. [ANSWER]

Explanation:

Here, we are interested in knowing the proportion of people who download music illegally who self-report as pirates and not in some population mean. Thus here the population parameter of interest is p.

C.

The correct answer is µ. [ANSWER]

Explanation:

Here, we are interested in knowing the mean daily time spent on cell phones among all students at the high school and not in some population proportion thus here the population parameter of interest is µ.

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