Questions: Determine whether the underlined value is a parameter or a statistic. The average score for a class of 28 students taking a calculus midterm exam was underlined 72%. Is the value a parameter or a statistic?

Determine whether the underlined value is a parameter or a statistic. The average score for a class of 28 students taking a calculus midterm exam was underlined 72%. Is the value a parameter or a statistic?

Transcript text: Determine whether the underlined value is a parameter or a statistic. The average score for a class of 28 students taking a calculus midterm exam was $\underline{72 \%}$. Is the value a parameter or a statistic?

Solution

Solution Steps

To determine whether the underlined value is a parameter or a statistic, we need to understand the definitions: A parameter is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a population, while a statistic is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a sample. In this case, the average score is for the entire class of 28 students, which represents the whole population of interest (the class). Therefore, the value is a parameter.

Step 1: Identify the Population and Sample

In this scenario, we are considering a class of $ n = 28 $ students who took a calculus midterm exam. The average score of this class is given as $ 72\% $.

Step 2: Define Parameter and Statistic

A parameter is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a population, while a statistic describes a characteristic of a sample. Since the average score provided pertains to the entire class (the population of interest), we need to classify it accordingly.

Step 3: Classify the Average Score

Given that the average score $ 72\% $ is calculated from all $ 28 $ students in the class, it represents a characteristic of the entire population rather than a sample. Therefore, it is classified as a parameter.